Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Dismantle Library Agency/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, siding with librarians and federal employees who sued to preserve it. The court found likely legal overreach and blocked further staff firings or grant cancellations. The agency funds vital public programs, especially in rural communities.
Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Dismantle Library Agency: Quick Looks
- Trump’s executive order labeled library agency “unnecessary”
- Court order bars further staff cuts, firings, and grant terminations
- Lawsuit filed by American Library Association and federal union
- Judge says administration likely lacks legal authority to shutter agency
- Institute issued over $266 million in grants last year
- Rural libraries already impacted by frozen funding
- Plaintiffs warn closures, layoffs likely without intervention
- DOJ says administration must retain control over federal priorities
Deep Look: Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Trump Effort to Shut Down Library Agency
WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration must temporarily stop dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a small but vital federal agency that funds library programs nationwide, particularly in underserved communities.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that blocks the administration from firing staff, canceling grants, or taking any further steps to dissolve the IMLS while the case plays out in court.
“These harms are neither speculative nor remediable,” Leon wrote, emphasizing the immediate and irreversible impact on public services.
The IMLS, which has 75 employees and issued more than $266 million in library grants last year, became a target of President Donald Trump’s March 14 executive order, which labeled the agency and several others as “unnecessary.” In response, newly appointed acting director Keith Sonderling quickly moved to cancel contracts, fire board members, and place staff on leave.
Lawsuit Aims to Preserve Library Access
The legal challenge was filed by the American Library Association (ALA) and a federal employees union, arguing that the president lacks the constitutional or statutory authority to unilaterally abolish a congressionally established agency.
The lawsuit also accused the administration of:
- Failing to provide a rational explanation for gutting the agency
- Ignoring reliance interests of communities and libraries
- Overlooking alternative, less disruptive measures
“Even if defendants possessed the authority to eviscerate IMLS,” plaintiffs wrote, “they’ve failed to justify the decision in any legally acceptable way.”
Court Issues Narrow But Impactful Injunction
Judge Leon’s TRO does not resolve the case but freezes the status quo, effectively pausing the agency’s dismantling. The order bars staff firings, program shutdowns, or grant cancellations until further court review.
This immediate relief is especially critical for rural and small-town libraries, which are already feeling the effects of suspended funding.
“Libraries have contracts with performers and educators for summer reading programs,” said ALA President Cindy Hohl. “Now they’re scrambling to fund those commitments or risk cancellation.”
DOJ Defends Executive Order as Lawful
Government attorneys pushed back, saying the president has authority to reprioritize agencies under his executive powers. They argued that the court lacks jurisdiction and that halting Trump’s directives would “disable several federal agencies” from executing administrative priorities.
“The president is acting within his legal authority,” the Justice Department said.
Despite that claim, the judge found plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits, suggesting that the administration’s actions may violate congressional intent.
Why the IMLS Matters
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary federal source of funding for public libraries, especially in low-income and rural areas. Its grants help pay for:
- Summer reading programs
- Digital literacy training
- Community outreach events
- Collections development and staff training
- Museum and library collaboration grants
Though its budget is small relative to larger departments, advocates say its impact is disproportionately large.
“These grants represent a sliver of the federal budget,” Hohl said, “but they are often the difference between open and closed doors in some towns.”
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