Trump admin guts Clinton-era volunteer agency that failed eight consecutive audits
The Trump administration made a bold move this week by placing roughly 75% of full-time AmeriCorps employees on administrative leave, in an effort to rebuild the volunteer agency from scratch. This decision affects 535 out of 700 staff members, as well as volunteers with AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps program.
In addition to placing employees on leave, the administration also canceled roughly $250 million in AmeriCorps contracts. While the agency is expected to remain in existence, operations will essentially restart from the ground up.
AmeriCorps was created by former President Bill Clinton in 1993 as a volunteer arm of the government to aid communities nationwide. Despite receiving approximately $1 billion in taxpayer funds each year, the agency has faced challenges with audits, failing eight consecutive audits over the past decade.
Republican Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, chair of the House subcommittee, expressed concern over AmeriCorps’ history of misusing taxpayer dollars. He highlighted the agency’s inability to detect fraud and the numerous open recommendations from audits.
Looking at AmeriCorp’s budget in recent years, it’s clear that the agency has faced financial challenges. The Biden administration proposed a budget of $1,342,093,000 for fiscal year 2025, with the agency having $3.7 billion in assets, including over $1.5 billion in investments.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate change initiatives have been key priorities for AmeriCorps, with a focus on advancing racial and economic equity through national service and volunteering. However, Owens argued that despite well-intentioned programs, AmeriCorps has continuously failed to meet basic accountability standards and called for the agency to be reformed or eliminated.
As this restructuring unfolds, it will be interesting to see how AmeriCorps evolves and adapts to the changing landscape of volunteerism and community service. The decision to rebuild the agency from scratch may lead to a more efficient and effective organization, better equipped to serve communities in need.
