AmeriCorps volunteers address critical local needs, create public good, foster belonging
Attorney General Charity Clark today, as part of a multistate coalition, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s termination of AmeriCorps grants and the dismantling of the agency though an 85% reduction of its workforce. AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency tasked with engaging Americans in meaningful community-based service that directly address the country’s educational, public safety, and environmental needs — every year, the agency provides opportunities for more than 200,000 Americans to serve their communities.
“AmeriCorps is a program meant to recruit and retain talented young people who can help revitalize our communities in many ways, including rebuilding our housing stock and preserving our natural environment,” said Attorney General Clark. “I’m suing to stop the Trump Administration from dismantling AmeriCorps – which the executive branch lacks the authority to do – and prevent the further degradation of Vermont’s workforce and housing.”
AmeriCorps supports national and state community service programs by providing opportunities for Americans to serve communities and by awarding grants to local and national organizations and agencies which use funding to address critical community needs. In early February, the Trump Administration issued an executive order directing every federal agency to plan to reduce the size of its workforce and prepare to initiate large-scale reductions in force. Since then, AmeriCorps has placed at least 85% of its workforce on administrative leave and notified employees that they would be terminated effective June 24, 2025.
On April 25, 2025, Vermont received notice from the federal government of termination of its AmeriCorps grant programs which support volunteer and service effort. Last year alone, AmeriCorps grants in Vermont supported the work of about 300 AmeriCorps members across the state. Among other things, those members supported 7,339 children and youth, treated over 1,800 acres of public land, improved over 130 miles of trail, and recruited or managed over 22,000 volunteers. Since 1994, more than 6,600 Vermonters have served approximately 9.8 million hours through AmeriCorps.
In the complaint filed today, Attorney General Clark and a multistate coalition argue that the Trump Administration has acted unlawfully in its gutting of AmeriCorps, violating both the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. Congress created AmeriCorps and the programs it administers, and the President cannot incapacitate the agency’s ability to administer appropriated grants or carry out statutorily assigned duties. Further, by dismantling AmeriCorps and its programs, which are creations of Congress, the Trump Administration has violated the Executive Branch’s obligation to take care that the law is faithfully executed.
Joining Vermont in filing this lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the complaint is available here.
Today’s lawsuit is the twelfth case Attorney General Clark has brought against the Trump administration since President Trump took office in January. For more information on actions taken by the Attorney General on behalf of Vermonters, visit our website at ago.vermont.gov/ago-actions.
CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, 802-828-3171