Attorney General Phil Weiser joins lawsuit to stop dismantling of federal agencies that support libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses and workers

April 4, 2025—Attorney General Phil Weiser today joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of three federal agencies that provide services and funding for public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide (PDF download).

In March, the Trump administration issued an executive order that would dismantle federal agencies created by Congress that together provide hundreds of millions of dollars for programs in every state. As a result of this executive order, the Institute of Museum and Library Services – one of the targeted agencies – has placed almost its entire staff on administrative leave and will cut hundreds of grants for state libraries and museums.

The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Weiser and the coalition seeks to stop the targeted destruction of the institute, as well as the Minority Business Development Agency, which promotes the growth and inclusion of minority-owned businesses through federal financial assistance programs, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which promotes resolution of labor disputes.

“The president cannot shutdown congressionally established federal agencies with a stroke of a Sharpie. The president cannot decide to unilaterally override laws governing federal spending. This executive order unconstitutionally overrides Congress’s power to decide how federal funds are spent,” said Attorney General Weiser. “By joining this lawsuit, we are standing up for museums like History Colorado, as well as libraries, workers, and minority businesses.”

This executive order is the administration’s latest attempt to dismantle federal agencies created by Congress. Dismantling these agencies will affect communities throughout Colorado and the nation that rely on them. History Colorado, for example, stands to lose $331,170 in promised federal funding for projects and programs across Colorado, especially in smaller and remote areas.

In addition, the Trump administration has cut the staff of the Minority Business Development Agency from 40 to just five individuals and has stopped issuing new grants, hurting small businesses across the country. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has slashed its staff from roughly 200 to fewer than 15 individuals and announced the termination of several of its core programs, making it harder for unionized workers to secure their rights. The state of Colorado’s collective bargaining agreement with the state employee union COWINS requires both parties to use the arbitrators from the federal mediation service to arbitrate contract disputes.

Attorney General Weiser and the coalition explain that the executive order violates the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by eliminating the programs of agencies without any regard for the laws and regulations that govern each source of federal funding.

Also joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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