California Governor Gavin Newsom prepares to battle the Trump administration in court over AmeriCorps cuts that have sent volunteers home and halted critical community service projects nationwide.
At a Glance
- Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency has slashed AmeriCorps funding, sending volunteers home mid-project
- Nearly 85% of AmeriCorps federal staff are on paid administrative leave with all NCCC members sent home
- California, the top recipient with $132.8 million in funding last year, plans legal action to challenge the cuts
- AmeriCorps volunteers were pulled from disaster relief efforts just before hurricane season begins
- Congress had allocated over $1.3 billion to AmeriCorps for fiscal year 2025 before the cuts
California Takes Legal Stand Against AmeriCorps Cuts
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration for what he describes as the “dismantling of AmeriCorps.” The governor’s April 17 statement comes as reports indicate approximately 85% of AmeriCorps federal staff have been placed on paid administrative leave, with all AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members sent home from their service assignments. The cuts have immediately affected ongoing community service projects across the country, including disaster relief efforts in storm-damaged areas.
California received $132.8 million in AmeriCorps funding last year, making it the program’s largest recipient. Newsom didn’t mince words about the administration’s actions, stating the federal government was abandoning its responsibility to volunteers serving fellow Americans. The governor also announced plans to increase recruitment for California’s own service corps programs to help fill the gap left by federal cuts.
Budget Cuts Impact Critical Community Services
The work stoppage aligns with the Trump-Vance Administration’s cost efficiency initiative through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). AmeriCorps NCCC members, young people aged 18-26 who receive education awards for federal student loans in exchange for service, were abruptly pulled from projects rebuilding storm-damaged homes and distributing hurricane recovery supplies. Reports suggest a potential 50% budget cut, with NCCC’s budget being $37.7 million of AmeriCorps’ overall $1.2 billion budget.
“NCCC and FEMA Corps represent a critical flexible workforce that is able to support disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across the country,” said Samantha Montano.
The timing of these cuts is particularly concerning as they come just before hurricane season, potentially hampering disaster mitigation and recovery efforts. While AmeriCorps has faced scrutiny for fraud prevention and high operational costs compared to other programs, advocates point to the diverse job training and career pathways the program provides in critical fields like emergency management and disaster work.
Federal Workforce Reduction Strategy
The AmeriCorps cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending. President Trump signed an executive order to trim the federal workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition shortly after taking office. However, critics argue that dismantling AmeriCorps contradicts Congressional intent, as lawmakers had allocated over $1.3 billion to the agency for fiscal year 2025 in a bipartisan show of support for the program’s mission.
“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. We will sue to stop this,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
AmeriCorps officials have confirmed that volunteers’ benefits, including living stipends and education awards, will be discontinued after April 30. The future of the NCCC program remains uncertain, with no current application positions available despite an active informational page for Fall 2025. Volunteers have expressed disappointment, citing the program’s importance for education funding and personal development opportunities.
Bipartisan Support for AmeriCorps Funding
America’s Service Commissions, a national organization representing state service commissions, has urged the federal government to continue funding AmeriCorps programs. The organization highlighted the bipartisan support for AmeriCorps in Congress and warned about the devastating impact that funding cuts would have on individual members, volunteers, and the communities they serve.
During the 2023-2024 service year alone, AmeriCorps members in California provided significant community service, including tutoring, mentoring, and disaster relief efforts.
“We are grateful to our bipartisan champions in the United States Senate and House of Representatives for their longstanding support of AmeriCorps funded programs and state service commissions. We urge continued funding and continuity of operations to avoid devastating impact on individual AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and the states and communities they serve,” stated America’s Service Commissions.
As California prepares its legal challenge, the state is also working to bolster its own California Service Corps, which includes several paid service programs. AmeriCorps California participants earn money for education and receive a living stipend while working on community projects, a model the state hopes to expand as federal support diminishes.
