California among states suing Trump administration over order to dismantle library agency

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order aimed at dismantling several federally established agencies that provide crucial funding to libraries, museums, and minority-owned businesses.

The lawsuit challenges Executive Order No. 14238, signed by President Donald Trump in March, which directs agencies such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to eliminate all functions not explicitly required by law and to slash staff and services to the statutory minimum.

“The Trump Administration is once again violating the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law by attempting to unilaterally shut down agencies the President doesn’t like,” Bonta said in a statement. “Dismantling these agencies would have a devastating impact on the public and states across the nation.”

According to the lawsuit, the order also instructs the Office of Management and Budget to withhold funding already allocated by Congress for services beyond the statutory minimum — a move the attorneys general argue is unconstitutional.

“These agencies serve as the backbone of economic and cultural advancement in our communities,” Bonta said. “The administration’s efforts to incapacitate them are not only cruel but blatantly illegal.”

Through IMLS’s Grants to States Program, the California State Library received $15.7 million in federal funding to support statewide library programs and staffing. However, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, over 21% of that funding has yet to be sent to California.

This marks California’s 12th lawsuit against the Trump administration.