Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Shrinkage of Agencies Funding Libraries, Labor Disputes, and State Business Contracting

A federal judge has temporarily barred the Trump administration from dramatically shrinking three federal agencies that fund libraries across the U.S., settle labor disputes with public sector workers, and support state business contracting programs. U.S. District Judge John McConnell, Jr. in Rhode Island issued the injunction, stating that President Donald Trump cannot unilaterally end the funding and programs for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, all established by Congress. The ruling comes in response to an executive order issued by Trump on March 14, which directed the agencies to eliminate every program not mandated by law and to cut staffing and functions to the minimum allowed by statute. The order was challenged by twenty-one states, who argued that the 'shredding' of these agencies would put hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding at risk and harm the general public. The injunction prevents any further layoffs at these agencies, following a similar ruling in Washington, D.C., where another judge temporarily stopped the administration from shuttering the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The legal actions highlight ongoing tensions between the executive branch's efforts to reduce federal spending and the role of Congress in appropriating funds.