The White House Forced to Release $185m for AmeriCorps After Legal Showdown
In a dramatic U-turn, the White House has agreed to release nearly $185 million in long-delayed AmeriCorps funding, bowing to pressure from Democratic attorneys general representing 25 states and Washington, D.C.
The move ensures the national volunteer and community service agency will now receive its full, Congress-approved budget for the current fiscal year. It comes only after a federal court battle that has repeatedly forced the Trump administration to reverse its own cuts.
“All Fiscal Year 2025 funds appropriated to AmeriCorps by Congress have now been apportioned and allocated,” AmeriCorps Chief Operating Officer Jill Graham confirmed in a filing on 28 August.
She added that the U.S. Treasury will transfer $184,898,010 by 2 September, with all funds committed by the close of the fiscal year on 30 September.
The announcement coincided with a looming deadline in a Maryland federal court, where AmeriCorps had been ordered to respond to a motion for a preliminary injunction.
After we sued the Trump Admin AGAIN, we have secured the release of $184M in federal funds to @AmeriCorps programs across the country.
Because we fought back, AmeriCorps volunteers will continue to serve communities in our state.
We will never stop fighting for NJ residents. pic.twitter.com/wvh9cf8dIA
— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) August 29, 2025
This is not the first legal clash. Back in June, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman granted an earlier injunction, forcing the administration to reinstate thousands of AmeriCorps staff and distribute millions in grants. That ruling, however, applied only to the suing states.
The legal challenge gained momentum after April’s budget cuts, introduced by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, an office dubbed DOGE.
Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and D.C. led the lawsuit, later widening their case to include the Office of Management and Budget.
Following Thursday’s decision, both sides asked Judge Boardman to pause proceedings. She agreed, demanding a joint update next week.
What does AmeriCorps mean on the Ground?
AmeriCorps, often described as America’s civilian service corps, employs thousands of young people – many recent graduates – in roles ranging from teaching and mentoring to home building and environmental projects.
Last year alone, Maryland received more than $21 million in AmeriCorps support and hosted nearly 5,000 members.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who spearheaded the lawsuit, hailed the decision as a breakthrough:
“The cuts were devastating. This outcome provides security for the programs and dedicated AmeriCorps members who tutor and mentor struggling Maryland students and give food to Marylanders who need it.”
The fight over AmeriCorps funding is more than a dispute over budget lines. It highlights deeper tensions between the White House and states over federal spending priorities.
Critics argue the Trump administration has attempted to dismantle institutions created by Congress without legislative approval. Legal experts warn that if left unchecked, such moves could set a precedent for bypassing Congress altogether.
For now, AmeriCorps has its funding secured. Yet the case has exposed how quickly vital community programmes can be thrown into uncertainty when caught in political crossfire.
