A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing President Donald Trump’s administration from significantly reducing funding and operations at three key agencies that support libraries, labor disputes, and state business programs in the United States. The ruling by U.S. District Judge John McConnell, Jr. in Rhode Island prohibits Trump from unilaterally cutting funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, all of which were established by Congress.
The judge found that the administration’s actions were likely arbitrary and capricious as the agencies failed to provide adequate justifications for the sweeping cuts. McConnell emphasized the constitutional roles of each branch of government, noting that Congress makes laws and appropriates funds while the Executive implements those laws and spends the funds authorized by Congress.
The legal battle arose from an executive order issued by Trump on March 14, instructing the agencies to eliminate non-mandated programs and reduce staffing to the minimum levels allowed by law. The lawsuit, filed by twenty-one states, argued that the cuts jeopardized millions of dollars in grant funding and harmed the public. Programs such as a braille library, literacy initiatives, and veterans’ support were at risk.
Government attorneys countered that the lawsuit was overly broad, alleging that some states were preemptively claiming grant terminations while others were anticipating increased costs. They also argued that disputes over personnel matters must be resolved through other channels before reaching federal court.
The judge’s decision aligns with a previous ruling in a similar case in Washington, D.C., where another federal judge halted the closure of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The rulings indicate that the American Library Association and federal employee unions are likely to succeed in their argument that Trump lacks the authority to dismantle these Congressionally established agencies.
