The entire staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, D.C., was placed on administrative leave by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), effective immediately. Between 55 and 70 employees received a letter informing them of the leave with full pay and benefits for 90 days, requiring them to turn in government property and disabling their email accounts. This follows President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for the elimination of the IMLS within seven days as part of a broader reduction of federal bureaucracy. The agency, established in 1996, awarded approximately $266.7 million in grants last year to museums and libraries across all 50 states.
This move threatens the core federal funding that supports museums, libraries, and archives nationwide, risking the termination of critical programs and services. The American Alliance of Museums warned that without staff to administer grants, most awards will likely be terminated, and the 2025 grant application program has already been paused. The IMLS represents just 0.0046 percent of the federal budget, yet the museum sector generates $50 billion in economic impact. The action undermines public will—96% of Americans support maintaining or increasing federal funding for museums—and leaves communities at risk of losing vital resources.