California's Newsom says he's suing the Trump admin over AmeriCorps cuts
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta (left) and Gov. Gavin Newsom during a Wednesday news conference in Ceres, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Thursday he'll sue the Trump administration over the reported DOGE-driven dismantling of the AmeriCorps service program.
The big picture: This is Newsom's second lawsuit announcement against the administration this week after saying Wednesday that he'd sue over President Trump's sweeping global tariffs.
Driving the news: AmeriCorps placed most of its federal staff on paid administrative leave Wednesday, per America's Service Commissions (ASC), a nonprofit representing state service commissions, and multiple news reports.
- The agency's National Civilian Community Corps, which oversees volunteerism and service work, told volunteers Tuesday they'd leave the program early "due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control," per AP, which cited an email it obtained.
- The Golden State "will both challenge the illegal action in court and accelerate recruitment for the California Service Corps program — already the largest service corps in the nation, surpassing the size of the Peace Corps," per a statement from the state governor's office.
- The statement noted that "AmeriCorps members were on the ground, distributing supplies and supporting families" during the climate change- related wildfires that devastated much of Los Angeles earlier this year.
By the numbers: Some 2,200 18- to 26-year-olds serve for 10-11 months on projects with FEMA, nonprofits, the U.S. Forest Service or community groups, per the agency's site.
What they're saying: "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 Thursday. "We will sue to stop this."
- Newsom's chief service officer Josh Fryday said in a statement the actions of DOGE, which the world's richest person Elon Musk is the face of, "aren't about making government work better — it's about making communities weaker."
The other side: "A White House official said the Trump administration questioned using taxpayer money for the program," per AP.
- Representatives for the White House and AmeriCorps did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment in the evening.
Go deeper: AmeriCorps pledges aid to tribal-led climate solutions
