Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is part of a new lawsuit challenging sweeping cuts to AmeriCorps made by the Trump administration.
Mayes and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general argue the cuts to AmeriCorps are part of a pattern of cuts by President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk, that overstep the authority of the executive branch by bypassing Congress.
The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Musk cut hundreds of millions of dollars from AmeriCorp's budget and reduced the agency’s staff by 85%, according to the Associated Press, resulting in the dismissal of volunteers at the independent federal agency.
The lawsuit claims that Trump’s administration violated the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers by cutting the agency’s resources, since AmeriCorps was created by Congress and has appropriated grants to give out.
“AmeriCorps represents the best of our nation — providing opportunities for millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities and make our country a better place to live,” Mayes said in a statement. “By unilaterally gutting this Congressionally authorized agency, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have yet again violated the law and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. Their illegal actions will harm Arizona communities.”
According to Mayes, Arizona received notice from the federal government on Friday that AmeriCorps grant programs in the state were terminated.
Mayes says the cuts will affect multiple Arizona programs, including a tutoring program for low-income students and a teacher’s residency program through Northern Arizona University.
Mayes referred to studies from AmeriCorps showing that some of their programs have a high projected return on investment.
The suit includes 25 states and the District of Columbia, including Kentucky and Pennsylvania, which have Republican attorneys general.
