SEATTLE, WA — Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has joined a multistate lawsuit contesting a recent executive order by the Trump Administration that significantly reduced AmeriCorps operations. The lawsuit, filed alongside 22 other attorneys general and the states of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, claims the order illegally terminated AmeriCorps grants and reduced the agency’s workforce by approximately 85%.

AmeriCorps, a federal agency established to promote community service, provides opportunities for more than 200,000 Americans annually to engage in education, public safety, disaster recovery, and other civic initiatives. Members work in areas such as veteran services, opioid crisis response, and environmental preservation.

According to the lawsuit, an executive order issued in early February directed federal agencies to develop workforce reduction plans, resulting in a significant downsizing at AmeriCorps. The agency placed most of its staff on administrative leave and informed employees of anticipated terminations by June 24. Washington officials say they were notified on April 25 that AmeriCorps grants supporting volunteer efforts in the state had been canceled.

The coalition of states argues the administration’s actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the constitutional separation of powers, contending that Congress created AmeriCorps and its programs, and the Executive Branch cannot unilaterally dismantle them.

Attorney General Brown stated that the decision undermines public service programs and oversteps executive authority. The complaint seeks to block the executive order’s implementation as it pertains to AmeriCorps.

Other states joining the lawsuit include Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.