Dear Colleagues:
Today we received more good news about the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The Rhode Island v. Trump First Circuit argument scheduled for Dec 4 in Boston will not be going forward. In light of the district court’s granting of summary judgment and a permanent injunction to the states, the federal government filed an assented-to motion to dismiss the appeal as moot, which the court granted yesterday.
As a refresher, last Friday, November 21, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell ruled in favor of 21 state attorneys general, including Massachusetts, determining that Executive Order 14238, which sought to dismantle IMLS, exceeded presidential authority and violated laws governing agencies established by Congress.
The court ruling permanently blocks Executive Order 14238 and ensures that IMLS can continue delivering critical support and funding for libraries nationwide and prohibits any further attempts to dismantle the agency.
If the Trump administration appeals the permanent injunction, we will keep you informed. For now, this is great news for IMLS!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Maureen Amyot