Maryland Attorney General Secures Victory in Lawsuit Protecting Four Federal Agencies

According to a press release from the Maryland Attorney General’s office, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has achieved a significant legal victory, with a court permanently blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle four key federal agencies. The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has granted a motion for summary judgment, siding with Attorney General Brown and a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general. This ruling prevents the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).

The lawsuit, initiated in April by Attorney General Brown and the coalition, challenged an Executive Order that would have dissolved these agencies. IMLS plays a crucial role in supporting museums and libraries across the nation through grants, research, and policy development, directly impacting educational opportunities and community enrichment. The MBDA is vital for fostering the growth and inclusion of small businesses by providing federal financial assistance programs, a critical resource for entrepreneurs and economic development. Furthermore, the FMCS is instrumental in promoting the peaceful resolution of labor disputes, contributing to workplace stability and fair practices for workers.

The coalition’s legal challenge asserted that the Executive Order’s attempt to unilaterally eliminate agencies established and funded by Congress exceeded presidential authority and violated the Constitution, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act. The court’s decision affirmed this argument, ruling that the administration’s actions were unlawful. The court’s order specifically bars the administration from taking any future steps to implement the Executive Order’s provisions for dismantling these four agencies. This outcome ensures that these federal bodies will continue to operate and provide their essential services.

This legal battle began with an initial lawsuit in April targeting IMLS, MBDA, and FMCS. In May, the coalition successfully obtained a preliminary injunction, temporarily halting the administration’s plans to dismantle these three agencies. Subsequently, in June, an amended lawsuit was filed to include USICH, which is responsible for coordinating federal efforts to prevent and end homelessness nationwide. The combined legal action by Attorney General Brown and the other state attorneys general underscores a unified stance against what was argued to be an overreach of executive power.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

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