ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown last week announced that he has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general suing the Trump administration over its plan to dismantle three federal agencies. The agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), provide “crucial services to communities across the country,” the Attorney General’s office said in a press release.
The lawsuit (PDF) aims to halt the administration’s execution of an Executive Order issued in March, which calls for the dismantling of the agencies. The coalition argues that the Executive Order violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing Congress’s authority over federal funding.
“We’re bringing this lawsuit to help protect the resources Marylanders rely on—grants that keep libraries and museums open, federal financial assistance for small businesses, and labor dispute resolution services that help sustain America’s economy,” said Attorney General Brown.
Brown says the dismantling of these agencies would have a significant impact on Maryland and other states. The IMLS, which provides funding for libraries and museums nationwide, has already placed nearly all of its staff on administrative leave and begun cutting grants. In 2024, IMLS allocated $180 million to libraries nationwide through its Grants to States Program. The MBDA, which supports small businesses in underserved communities, has seen its staff reduced from 40 to 5 individuals and has effectively stopped issuing new grants. The FMCS, which plays a critical role in labor dispute resolution, has cut its staff from approximately 200 to fewer than 15 and has terminated several core programs.
The coalition of attorneys general argues that the administration’s actions are detrimental to the public and exceed the president’s authority. They are seeking to preserve the agencies and the vital services they provide.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
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