A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday blocking President Trump's executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr., appointed by President Obama, ruled that the dismantling violated the Administrative Procedure Act and Congress's constitutional power over appropriations. The injunction follows a lawsuit by the American Library Association and AFSCME, and a temporary restraining order last week. Trump's March 14 executive order had declared IMLS "unnecessary," placing staff on leave, terminating grants, and dismissing board members.
The ruling matters because IMLS is a critical federal funding source for libraries and museums nationwide, especially small and rural institutions. Its Grants to States program supports essential services for millions of patrons. The injunction represents a significant check on executive overreach in arts and cultural policy, reinforcing the separation of powers. Attorneys general from 21 states had sued to stop the dismantling of IMLS along with two other agencies, highlighting broad bipartisan concern over preserving federal cultural infrastructure.