On Friday, June 6, Judge Richard J. Leon denied the motion made by plaintiffs in ALA vs. Sonderling for a preliminary injunction against the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The temporary restraining order issued in the case by the judge May 1 expired on May 29.
Judge Leon’s decision in ALA vs. Sonderling came not because he agreed with the defendants and their evidence. It came because he believes the case itself was brought to the wrong court jurisdiction. His decision notes that the case should be brought under the Court of Federal Claims due to the Tucker Act.
Judge Leon writes:
I emphasize, though, that my decision reflects the high bar for and extraordinary nature of a preliminary injunction. My decision does not prohibit plaintiffs from renewing their motion or succeeding on a dispositive motion depending on further developments in the facts and law.
Despite the headlines across the internet saying this ruling means that the Trump administration can now continue gutting the institution, that’s not exactly true. ALA vs. Sonderling is one of the two federal cases brought about in response to the administration’s actions against the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Literary Activism
News you can use plus tips and tools for the fight against censorship and other bookish activism!
The current court order in the other IMLS lawsuit, Rhode Island vs. Trump, still does not allow further destruction of the federal agency overseeing public libraries and museums. Indeed, the same day that the ALA case was dealt a blow, Judge John J. McConnell denied the Trump administration a stay pending their appeal in Rhode Island.
So what does this all mean? In short, we might see the Trump administration trying to do more damage to the IMLS under the ALA decision. But given that the Rhode Island decision not only requires that the Trump administration curtail their dismantling of IMLS but that they begin to rebuild what they’ve already taken apart, including bringing fired staff back and releasing withheld grants to the 21 states involved in the lawsuit, we may see absolutely nothing happen. This is a fluid and developing situation.
Unfortunately, this court setback is one more hurdle that allows these lawsuits to drag on longer. If the Trump administration’s proposal of a complete closure of the agency in the 2026 federal budget passes, whatever the outcomes of either lawsuit is will be moot.
You can follow the timeline of Trump’s attempts to shutter the Institute of Museum and Library Services here, as well as catch up with previous coverage here, here, here, here, and here.
