California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two states, has expanded the legal challenge against the Trump Administration. The challenge targets the withholding of tens of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps funding by adding the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as a defendant. In June, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition secured a court order that reinstated numerous AmeriCorps programs unlawfully canceled and barred similar cuts without formal rulemaking. Despite this order, OMB is withholding funds intended for essential service programs.
“AmeriCorps represents the best of who we are, what we can be, as a nation,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Last month, I secured a court order stopping the illegal dismantling of AmeriCorps – ensuring these selfless servicemembers can continue to serve our communities while litigation continues. But now, President Trump is trying a different, yet similarly, illegal tactic to withhold funding. We’re going back to court to block this latest maneuver – and we’ll keep fighting to ensure this invaluable program continues.”
AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency engaging Americans in community-based service. It supports national and state community service programs by funding volunteers in organizations addressing critical needs. In 2024, over 6,150 California members served at various locations such as schools and health clinics. AmeriCorps invested more than $133 million in federal funding to support cost-effective community solutions.
Programs benefiting from AmeriCorps include Prevent Child Abuse California, Partnership for Veterans and People Experiencing Homelessness, and Reading Partners California.
The amended complaint alleges that OMB unlawfully withheld over $38 million intended for specific AmeriCorps programs across multiple funding streams. This includes funds for Senior Companion Programs and Foster Grandparent Programs pairing low-income seniors with children or other seniors needing care.
The coalition argues that the Trump Administration’s actions violate both the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional separation of powers. Congress created AmeriCorps and appropriated its funding; neither OMB nor AmeriCorps has authority to defy Congress by withholding funds.
Attorney General Bonta leads this effort alongside attorneys general from Maryland, Delaware, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin District Columbia Kentucky Pennsylvania.
