DELMARVA -A Rhode Island federal district judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle three federal agencies that support libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses and labor mediation services.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, who was appointed by Barack Obama in 2010, sided with 21 Democratic-led states, including Delaware and Maryland, ruling that the March 14 executive order violates the separation of powers by bypassing congressional authority.
The lawsuit targets President Trump’s order to eliminate seven federal agencies as part of a broader effort to slash federal bureaucracy. The order had already led to mass layoffs, frozen grants, and disrupted essential services.
Among the agencies protected by the court’s ruling are the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, part of the coalition that filed the lawsuit, praised the ruling. “The thousands of museums and libraries across our country generate a value that is greater than any line item on a budget,” Jennings said. “They provide intellectual and spiritual nourishment; they stoke joy, curiosity, and creativity. Regrettably, this administration has continuously decided to try and stamp those things out... We will fight you, and we will win.”
“This ruling safeguards essential lifelines for aspiring entrepreneurs, workers demanding fair treatment, and Maryland families who rely on their local libraries for internet access and childhood literacy support,” said Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. “By defending these vital federal programs, we've ensured they continue delivering critical services to the Marylanders who depend on them every day.”
The injunction prevents the administration from continuing its plans to dismantle IMLS, which provides grants and research for libraries and museums; MBDA, which supports minority-owned businesses; and FMCS, which mediates labor disputes.
