Judge says administration can dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had previously agreed to temporarily block the Republican administration, saying that plaintiffs were likely to show that Trump doesn't have the legal authority to unilaterally shutter the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which was created by Congress.
But in Friday's ruling, Leon wrote that as much as the 'Court laments the Executive Branch's efforts to cut off this lifeline for libraries and museums,' recent court decisions suggested that the case should be heard in a separate court dedicated to contractual claims.
He cited the Supreme Court's decision allowing the administration to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training money despite a lower court order barring the cuts, saying that cases seeking reinstatement of federal grants should be heard in the Court of Federal Claims.
The American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit to stop the administration from gutting the institute after President Donald Trump signed a March 14 executive order that refers to it and several other federal agencies as 'unnecessary.'
The agency's appointed acting director then placed many agency staff members on administrative leave, sent termination notices to most of them, began canceling grants and contracts and fired all members of the National Museum and Library Services Board.
The institute has roughly 75 employees and issued more than $266 million in grants last year.
However, a Rhode Island judge's order prohibiting the government from shutting down the museum and library services institute in a separate case brought by several states remains in place. The administration is appealing that order as well.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
9 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Reacts to Finding Out Sydney Sweeney is a Republican
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind embattled actress Sydney Sweeney upon finding out that the star is a registered Republican. The Euphoria star has been embroiled in a furor over her appearance in an advertising campaign for denim brand American Eagle, after its wordplay with "jeans" and "genes" sparked allegations of racism. Trump was asked for his thoughts by a reporter who questioned him about news that emerged this weekend, revealing that Sweeney was a registered member of the Republican party in Florida after signing up in June last year. "She's a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad!" Trump says, in a video clip of the encounter as he's questioned by reporters. Actress Sydney Sweeney attends the premiere of "Eden" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2024, in Toronto, Canada. Actress Sydney Sweeney attends the premiere of "Eden" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2024, in Toronto, Canada. Emma McIntyre/WireImage He then appears to double-check Sweeney is the actress behind the ad he's thinking of, saying: "Is that right, is Sydney Sweeney...?" The reporter replies, "Yeah!" The president then laughs and adds: "You'd be surprised at how many people are Republicans. That's what I wouldn't have known. But I'm glad you told me that. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic!" Newsweek is attempting to reach out to representatives for Sweeney for comment. This is a developing story.
Newsweek
9 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Greg Abbott Threatens to Expel Texas Democrats as They Thwart Redistricting
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to remove "derelict Democrats" from the state's House of Representatives if they fail to return by Monday afternoon. The threat came after numerous Texas Democrats left their home state and traveled to Illinois in an effort to prevent the state legislature from holding a vote that would approve Republican-backed redistricting maps. In a letter to the Democrats, Abbott wrote: "Real Texans do not run from a fight. But that's exactly what most of the Texas House Democrats just did... rather than doing their job and voting on urgent legislation affecting the lives of all Texans, they have fled Texas to deprive the House of the quorum necessary to meet and conduct business." Why It Matters Abbott's threat intensifies the face-off over Republican efforts to redraw the districting map in Texas to bolster the party's chances of retaining the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans in other states facing significant battleground contests have looked to follow a similar path. Republicans have slim majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate, giving Democrats hopes of retaking at least one of the Houses of Congress in next year's elections. Governor Greg Abbott speaking in Kerrville, Texas, in July. Governor Greg Abbott speaking in Kerrville, Texas, in July. Jacquelyn Martin/AP What To Know Abbott said in his statement that the Texas Democrats' absences were "premeditated for an illegitimate purpose... the specific purpose of abdicating the duties of their office and thwarting the chamber's business." He said their action amounted to "an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office." He added: "This truancy ends now. The derelict Democrat House members must return to Texas and be in attendance when the House reconvenes at 3.00 p.m. on Monday. "For any member who fails to do so, I will invoke Texas Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0382 to remove the missing Democrats from membership in the Texas House." More than 51 Democratic members of the Texas House left the state on Sunday, aiming to deny the chamber a quorum and prevent passage of the proposed Republican map before a scheduled floor vote. The Texas House requires the presence of at least 100 of its 150 members to conduct business. With only 62 Democratic members in the chamber, their collective absence can halt legislative proceedings. Abbott had called a special session to address the flooding that killed 135 people last month in Texas Hill Country and the redistricting plan. Texas House Democrats join Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in Carol Stream on Sunday. Texas House Democrats join Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in Carol Stream on Sunday. Mark Black/AP Democrats have argued that if Republicans succeed in redrawing the Texas districts, Trump will push other states to do the same. Speaking in Chicago on Sunday, Texas House Democratic Caucus chair Gene Wu said: "We're not here to play political games. We're here to demand an end to this corrupt process. Today is the day this corruption ends. "If Donald Trump is allowed to do this, once again cheat and get away with it, there's no stopping this, it will spread across the country... and rip it apart." Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said that the Texas Democrats had no choice but to leave their state to block the vote "and protect their constituents." "Let's be clear, this is not just rigging the system in Texas. It's rigging the system against the rights of all Americans for years to come," he said. What People Are Saying Abbott said in his statement: "In addition to abandoning their offices, these legislators may also have committed felonies. Many absentee Democrats are soliciting funds to evade the fines they will incur under House rules. Any Democrat who "'solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept' such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote may have violated bribery laws. See TEX. PENAL CODE § 36.02. "The same could be true for any other person who 'offers, confers, or agrees to confer' such funds to fleeing Democrat House members. I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote on X: "Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law." The Texas House Democratic Caucus said in response to Abbott's threat: "Come and take it." Colin Allred, a former Democratic Senate candidate for Texas, said in a statement:"Texas House Democrats just did what this moment demands — they broke quorum to stop a blatant power grab. This wouldn't have happened without the thousands of Texans who showed up, testified, and refused to be ignored. You gave them the strength to act. "This fight isn't just about maps — it's about power. When Republicans silence Black and Latino voters, they're not just rigging elections. They're rigging who gets health care, clean water, and a fair shot. "Let's be clear: they don't just want to rig the vote. They want to use that power to rig the economy — to keep helping the wealthy and well-connected while working families get left behind." What Happens Next Texas Republicans are attempting to find legal means of passing the proposed redistricting maps, though that may lead to a drawn-out legal battle. The U.S. Supreme Court is already reviewing a dispute over redistricting in Louisiana, and earlier this year overturned a lower court's decision that ruled South Carolina's congressional map as unconstitutional.
CNN
9 minutes ago
- CNN
Trump calls Sweeney's American Eagle ad ‘fantastic'
Trump calls Sweeney's American Eagle ad 'fantastic' President Donald Trump praised Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad on Sunday, telling reporters that it is 'fantastic' after finding out that the actress was a registered Republican. Sweeney registered with the Republican Party in Florida on June 16, 2024, prior to November's presidential election, according to Florida voter registration records. 00:49 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos Trump calls Sweeney's American Eagle ad 'fantastic' President Donald Trump praised Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad on Sunday, telling reporters that it is 'fantastic' after finding out that the actress was a registered Republican. Sweeney registered with the Republican Party in Florida on June 16, 2024, prior to November's presidential election, according to Florida voter registration records. 00:49 - Source: CNN Justin Trudeau sings 'Firework' at Katy Perry concert Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen singing and dancing at a Katy Perry concert in Montreal in late July. Two days earlier, Trudeau and Perry were seen having dinner together, sparking dating rumors across social media. 00:59 - Source: CNN New research reveals origin of potatoes Scientists traced the lineage of potatoes to a wild genetic fusion about 9 million years ago between a tomato ancestor and a tuberless plant. 01:04 - Source: CNN Blake Lively to be deposed against Justin Baldoni Blake Lively is set to be deposed Thursday in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. 00:24 - Source: CNN Amusement park ride splits in half in Saudi Arabia At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, according to state media. 00:33 - Source: CNN Dozens injured on Delta flight Severe turbulence struck a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam Wednesday, causing service carts and unbelted passengers to hit the ceiling and forcing an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals. 01:01 - Source: CNN Arrest made in Arkansas hiking murders A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, according to the Arkansas State Police. 00:45 - Source: CNN Crypto attack on OnlyFans streamer caught on camera Several crypto investors, including streamer and content creator Kaitlyn 'Amouranth' Siragusa, have been targeted in a series of violent attacks by gangs attempting to access their crypto wallets. Blockchain intelligence firms believe that the perceived anonymity and irreversibility of crypto transactions make investors an attractive target. 02:05 - Source: CNN High Noon recalls vodka seltzer mislabeled as Celsius High Noon has issued a voluntary recall after mislabeling some of its vodka seltzer as Celsius energy drinks. The FDA says no adverse events or illnesses have been reported. 00:55 - Source: CNN Jet2 holiday singer speaks out after White House uses meme British singer Jess Glynne responded to the White House's decision to use the viral TikTok sound, which includes her 2015 song "Hold My Hand" and Jet2's commercial. Glynne criticized the White House for using the audio to show the ongoing mass deportations in the United States. 01:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute as emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial Thousands of fans paid their respects to Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. Osbourne died last Tuesday at the age of 76. 00:46 - Source: CNN Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settling sexual assault lawsuit Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, who has been one of the faces of ESPN's morning sports debate show 'First Take,' is no longer with the network, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN. 00:54 - Source: CNN Crocodile gets caught underneath moving truck A bystander captured video of a crocodile caught underneath a truck driving through high water in Australia at Kakadu National Park. 00:25 - Source: CNN Beyoncé brings out Destiny's Child during final show Beyoncé reunited Destiny's Child during her concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland joining her on stage to perform a medley of the group's biggest hits, as part of her final Cowboy Carter show. 00:45 - Source: CNN Gwyneth Paltrow joins Astronomer as temporary spokesperson Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a new ad for Astronomer, the tech firm whose former CEO and human resources chief were caught in an awkward moment on a Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert last week. Paltrow is the ex-wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. 00:51 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN
