Salem, Oregon – Earlier this week, Attorney General Dan Rayfield achieved a notable legal success when a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration’s proposal to destroy three major agencies. While the case proceeds, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island’s order stops any actions toward abolishing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
Rayfield teamed together with 20 other attorneys general in early April to contest an Executive Order meant to close these agencies. Their complaint contended that removing the resources of the agencies would compromise important services—especially for public libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, and employees looking for equitable mediation. The group asked the court to stop the administration’s activities until a complete hearing on the merits could be held by requesting a preliminary injunction.
The decision corresponds to that demand, hence freezing the Executive Order’s dismantling directives. The court’s written decision emphasizes that, should funding sources be reduced and enforcement offices closed, the plaintiffs are probably going to experience irreversible damage. Given the broad reach of the agencies involved, it also points out that keeping the status quo benefits the public interest.
“These institutions are lifelines in communities in Oregon. The court’s ruling today is an important step in preventing real harm,” Rayfield said. “Libraries and museums aren’t political targets – they educate, preserve culture and create opportunity. Cutting off their funding would have hurt students, families and economies across the state.”
Each of the three agencies plays a distinct role. Nationwide, IMLS gives libraries and museums funds encouraging literacy, outreach, and historical preservation. By running government financial aid and business development initiatives, MBDA promotes minority entrepreneurship. By promoting discussion over conflict and assisting workers and companies attain peaceful resolutions, FMCS intervenes in labor disputes.
The coalition’s complaint underlines that without these services, especially in rural and underprivileged areas, people would suffer greatly. Fifteen rural counties in Oregon depend on IMLS-supported help via the Oregon State Library. Local reading contests including the Oregon Battle of the Books rely on this help to flourish and provide students throughout the state an opportunity to interact with literature.
Read also: Oregon, coalition of states say White House cannot erase public service program without Congress
Joining Rayfield in this legal action are the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Their united front emphasizes the need of federal alliances in maintaining libraries, museums, minority-owned enterprises, and fair labor practices nationwide and underlines their profound concern about the suggested agency shutdowns.
