The federal administration overseeing the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Minority Business Development Agency, and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, have filed an appeal over the decision made in the case of State of Rhode Island vs. Donald Trump. The decision, rendered May 13, would require the administration to undo the mass firings and dismantling of the three above-listed federal agencies.
The appeal was filed late Friday afternoon, May 16, 2025.
This isn’t a particularly surprising update, given the determination this administration has in decimating the IMLS and its ongoing efforts to slash other federal services. The appeal notice does not indicate what the defendants seek to appeal quite yet, but that information will likely come in the following days. For now, the decision entered May 13 remains. Further cutting of services cannot continue and the administration is supposed to be working to bring back workers and programs slashed in the cuts.
Given the efforts that the administration has taken to follow the law thus far, though, it is unlike we’ll see any effort given to follow the judge’s order during the appeals process.
State of Rhode Island vs. Donald Trump is one of two lawsuits filed against the federal administration over dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It was filed by 21 state attorneys general. The second lawsuit, ALA vs. Sonderling, was filed by the American Library Association and AFSCME. The judge in that case issued a temporary restraining order, meaning that further dismantling of the IMLS–including further employee termination–is currently on hold. A decision in this case is anticipated before the end of May.
Source : Trump Administration Appeals Decision in Attorneys General IMLS Lawsuit
