Mercer Times

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined forces with 20 other attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging actions taken by the Trump Administration to dismantle three federal agencies: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). These agencies support public libraries, museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses across the nation.

The Trump Administration issued Executive Order No 14238, which led to these agencies being cut. The lawsuit argues that the Executive Order breaches the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution by eliminating programs of agencies in violation of laws governing federal funding.

According to Attorney General Platkin, "The Trump Administration’s illegal attempts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences will severely harm New Jersey’s state library and the services it provides to residents across our state, including our residents with disabilities." Platkin emphasized the administration's ongoing attempts to dismantle critical federal agencies, adding, "We will continue to stand up for our librarians and the critical funding they provide every single day."

The lawsuit contends that dismantling these agencies will have serious consequences for communities in New Jersey and the nation. In 2024, IMLS invested $180 million in libraries nationwide, supporting essential services provided by library staff. For New Jersey, IMLS provided over $4 million in federal funding to the state library, supporting services for almost 13,000 library patrons with disabilities and technology services for 350 public libraries.

Filed by Attorney General Platkin and attorneys general from states including New York, Rhode Island, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, the lawsuit seeks to preserve federal program funding and maintain congressional control over federal spending.