Carson City, NV — Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has secured a court order preventing the Trump administration from dismantling three federal agencies that provide support to public libraries, museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses across the nation.
“The president does not have the authority to defy the Constitution and destroy congressionally created agencies,” stated AG Ford. “If these agencies were gutted, everyday Nevadans would immediately feel the effects. For example, the Clark County Library District alone provides vital services for over 1.7 million Nevadans. I am thrilled the court will allow these services to continue uninterrupted while our case continues.”
In April, AG Ford joined forces with 20 other attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt an executive order aimed at dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has issued an order granting a preliminary injunction to stop this executive order’s implementation.
This executive order represents another attempt by the Trump administration to dismantle federal agencies against Congress’s directives. The preliminary injunction now prevents this action concerning three targeted agencies.
AG Ford and his coalition argued that dismantling these agencies would have severe impacts on communities in Nevada and nationwide by removing essential services such as library funding, minority business promotion, and worker rights protection.
The court determined that there is a strong likelihood of success for states’ claims that this executive order violates both the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional principles by attempting to eliminate congressionally established and funded agencies.
Alongside AG Ford in this legal challenge are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.
