“DOGE’s actions aren’t about making the government work better—it’s about making communities weaker,” said Josh Fryday, the governor’s chief service officer. “These actions will dismantle vital lifelines in communities across California.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said that his administration is planning to file a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to terminate AmeriCorps grant programs.
Late last week, Gov. Newsom announced that, even as the Trump administration continues to dismantle AmeriCorps, California will not only take legal action but increase recruitment for the California Service Corps program.
AmeriCorps, an independent government agency, runs a wide range of volunteer and civic engagement programs, including AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, and AmeriCorps State and National.
The California branch of AmeriCorps is the largest service corps in the country, counting more members and volunteers than even the Peace Corps.
In a recent statement, Gov. Newsom noted that, when wildfires struck Los Angeles earlier this year, AmeriCorps members were on the ground, supporting evacuation efforts, distributing supplies, and helping displaced families.
Most AmeriCorps volunteers are reimbursed for basic expenses and provided compensation to cover the costs of housing, meals, and a “limited health benefit.” It also provides a “modest” living allowance, as well as the promise of limited funding for higher education or student debt relief.
But, shortly after Trump took office, AmeriCorps announced that it would place most of its full-time staff on administrative leave until further notice; only 15% of the agency’s staff remains active.
“During the period that you are on administrative leave you are not to enter AmeriCorps premises, access AmeriCorps systems, or attempt to use your position or authority with AmeriCorps in any way without my prior permission or prior permission of a supervisor in your chain of command,” wrote AmeriCorps interim director Jennifer Bastress Tahmasebi in an internal memo.
Newsom has vocally criticized the Trump administration’s decision to attack AmeriCorps, a legacy of America’s more civic-minded past.
“We’ve gone from the New Deal, the New Frontier, and the Great Society to a federal government that gives the middle finger to volunteers serving their fellow Americans,” Newsom said in a statement.
Newsom’s office is expected to specifically target the role of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency in reducing AmeriCorps operations.
“DOGE’s actions aren’t about making the government work better—it’s about making communities weaker,” said Josh Fryday, the governor’s chief service officer. “These actions will dismantle vital lifelines in communities across California.”
Jade Marshalek, a former AmeriCorps NCCC member, told The Associated Press that she expects the Trump administration to take action against other government agencies as well as private charities.
“A lot more nonprofits and government organizations are going toned help,” she said.
Sources
Most of AmeriCorps staff members have been placed on leave after DOGE cuts
Newsom sues DOGE over AmeriCorps cuts, saying it ‘gives the middle finger to volunteers’
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