A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), ruling that the moves likely exceeded executive authority. However, the administration's latest budget proposal would zero out the agency's funding, creating a clash between judicial orders and fiscal reality.
In a decision issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss blocked the administration from firing IMLS staff, shuttering its operations, or transferring its functions to other agencies without congressional approval. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Library Association and several museums, arguing that the administration's actions violated the separation of powers.
"The court recognizes the public interest in preserving institutions that serve as stewards of our cultural heritage," Moss wrote in his opinion. "The executive branch cannot unilaterally abolish an agency that Congress has established and funded."
The IMLS, which provides grants to libraries and museums nationwide, has been a target of the Trump administration's broader effort to reduce the federal footprint. In February, the White House ordered the agency to halt most operations and prepare for closure, citing redundancy with private sector initiatives.
Library advocates celebrated the ruling but warned that the fight is far from over. "This is a temporary win, but the budget proposal shows the administration is determined to eliminate us by other means," said Emily Knox, president of the American Library Association. "We need Congress to reject this funding cut."
The budget, released last month, proposes to eliminate all $290 million in IMLS funding, redirecting the money to veterans' programs. The proposal has drawn bipartisan opposition from lawmakers who note that libraries and museums in rural and underserved areas rely heavily on federal grants.
The case now moves to a full hearing on the merits, scheduled for June. Meanwhile, the IMLS has resumed limited operations but remains understaffed after the administration laid off key personnel earlier this year. The dispute is expected to reach the Supreme Court if the administration appeals the injunction.