Gov. Newsom, AG Bonta Sue Trump Administration Over DOGE Cuts to Americorps Funding

California, led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, sued the federal government over their over 40% cut to Americorps funding on Tuesday, joining two dozen other states in the same lawsuit.

The lawsuit comes following last week when it was announced that grant funding for Americorps, the federal service and volunteer program that addresses community needs across the country, was to be slashed by around 41%, or nearly $400 million. As the agency brought a grant budget of about $1 billion, grant coverage for just over 1,000 organizations, and roughly 32,465 employees and volunteers, the cuts brought a nationwide effect, especially in California, which faces tens of millions in lost Americorps grant funding.

The DOGE led cuts started going into effect on Friday, with many states vowing legal action.

“Your grant no longer effectuates agency priorities,” said many of the notices sent out over the weekend to those organizations getting grant cuts. “You must immediately cease all award activities. This is a final agency action and is not administratively appealable.”

However, two dozen states made good on their promises to sue the federal government over the cuts on Monday and Tuesday. In total, 24 states, as well as the District of Columbia, are suing to get the grants back in the U.S. District Court of Maryland. The three state co-leaders of State of Maryland v. Americorps are the states of Maryland, Delaware, and California, with each being heavily backed by their respective Governors. In their suit, they argue that the federal government and President Donald Trump don’t have the Constitutional authority to slash Americorps grant funding, as the agency was created by Congress in 1993 and not by the President or another agency.

An over 40% cut in grant funding for Americorps

In statements on Tuesday, both Newsom and Bonta focused on the loss of funding and services over the legality of the action.

“Service sits at the very core of who we are as Americans,” said Newsom in a statement. “California is suing the Trump administration to defend thousands of hardworking service members and the communities they serve. These actions by President Trump and Elon Musk not only threaten our funding – they vandalize our values. We’re going to fight to stop them.”

“AmeriCorps volunteers bring out the best in America and in our communities. By abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps’ workforce and volunteers, DOGE is dismantling AmeriCorps without any concern for the thousands of people who are ready and eager to serve their country — or for those whose communities are stronger because of this public service,” added Bonta. “In California, AmeriCorps volunteers build affordable housing, clean up our environment, and address food insecurity in communities across our state. California has repeatedly taken action to hold the Trump Administration and DOGE accountable to the law — and we stand prepared to do it again to protect AmeriCorps and the vital services it provides.”

However, those in favor of the cuts, including many government waste organizations, have said that Americorps has been bloated for years and has been largely ineffective. Most notably, Teach for America, which is closely tied with Americorps with members also being Americorps members, has long been seen as ineffectual. Low quality teachers, high teacher turnover, a lack of professionalism, and poor student grades, particularly in high-need areas, have plagued the group since their inception. This has become so well known for Teach for America and Americorps that they have been lampooned by shows like Saturday Night Live and satirical sites including The Onion. Cut supporters, led by Elon Musk, have said that they hope that Americorps can now focus on areas that are actually beneficial to communities with the cuts.

“President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire Executive Branch,” said White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly on Tuesday regarding the lawsuit.

With the lawsuit now in place, Americorps is now in a standstill with 40% slashed from their budget and 85% of employees currently out on administrative leave until the legal situation can be figured out.