The Californer - California sues Trump administration for dismantling AmeriCorps

Trending...

BKM's Senior Managing Director of Operations, Susan Rounds, and Associate Director of Design, Koren Mercer, Honored as 2025 Women of Influence - 116
California: TOMORROW: Governor Newsom joins CAL FIRE to announce an expansion of world's largest aerial firefighting force - 108
Snell & Wilmer Partner Keith Gregory Named a Top 100 Lawyer & Champion of Mentorship by the LABJ - 102

News

Apr 29, 2025

California sues Trump administration for dismantling AmeriCorps

What you need to know: California is filing a lawsuit today against the Trump administration for dismantling AmeriCorps, which puts service and volunteer programs across the country and in California at risk.

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that California, along with other states, is suing the Trump administration over recent DOGE efforts to dismantle AmeriCorps – the federal agency vital to supporting volunteer and service efforts in California and across the country.

As the federal government cuts AmeriCorps programs, the state is recruiting for the California Service Corps program — already the largest service corps in the nation, surpassing the size of the Peace Corps.

Service sits at the very core of who we are as Americans. California is suing the Trump administration to defend thousands of hardworking service members and the communities they serve.

These actions by President Trump and Elon Musk not only threaten our funding – they vandalize our values. We're going to fight to stop them.

Governor Gavin Newsom

In the complaint today, the Attorney General Bonta and a multistate coalition argue that by abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps' workforce, the Trump Administration is effectively shuttering the national volunteer agency and ending states' abilities to support AmeriCorps programs within their borders.

"AmeriCorps volunteers bring out the best in America and in our communities. By abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps' workforce and volunteers, DOGE is dismantling AmeriCorps without any concern for the thousands of people who are ready and eager to serve their country — or for those whose communities are stronger because of this public service," said Attorney General Bonta. "In California, AmeriCorps volunteers build affordable housing, clean up our environment, and address food insecurity in communities across our state. California has repeatedly taken action to hold the Trump Administration and DOGE accountable to the law — and we stand prepared to do it again to protect AmeriCorps and the vital services it provides."

In 2024, at least 6,150 California members served at more than 1,200 locations, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, youth centers, veterans' facilities, and other nonprofit and faith-based organizations. When the devastating fires struck Los Angeles earlier this year, AmeriCorps members were on the ground, distributing supplies and supporting families. The agency's shutdown ends these efforts.

More on The Californer

"DOGE isn't just cutting jobs — they're attacking the very people who keep California strong," said GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. "They're coming after the service members who responded to the LA fires, the tutors helping our kids and the young leaders caring for our seniors. It's outrageous, it's illegal and we won't back down. In California, we're not just defending service — we're strengthening it. California is doubling down, and we trust the courts will strike this down and uphold the values we fight for every day."

California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, consisting of four paid service programs:

Combined, it is a force larger than the Peace Corps and is mobilized at a time when California is addressing post-pandemic academic recovery, rebuilding from the LA fires and planning for the future of the state's workforce.

In the 2023-24 service year, AmeriCorps members in California:

Provided 4,397,674 hours of service
Tutored/mentored 73,833 students
Supported 17,000 foster youth with education and employment
Planted 39,288 trees

Members helped 26,000 households impacted by the LA fires and packed 21,000 food boxes.

Press Releases, Recent News

More on The Californer

https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkur..." rel="nofollow external noopener">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/x?linkurl=https...">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=h...">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/copy_link?linku...">Recent news

Governor Newsom congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney

Apr 28, 2025

News SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement congratulating newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney:"Jennifer and I warmly congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney on his party's election victory in Canada. California looks...

Governor Newsom proclaims Workers' Memorial Day 2025

Apr 28, 2025

News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 28, 2025 as "Workers' Memorial Day."The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONOn Workers' Memorial Day, we acknowledge, remember, and honor...

Governor Newsom on new DOGE action to dismantle AmeriCorps: 'We will serve the federal government with a lawsuit'

Apr 25, 2025

News What you need to know: DOGE is ramping up its work to dismantle AmeriCorps. California will sue to stop it. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement after California received notice from the federal government of termination of its...

Filed Under: Government, State

0 Comments

Latest on The Californer