Needs to be reappropriated for FY2026. Trump has proposed dismantling it. Appropriations committees of both houses in Congress have so far proposed keeping it with some cuts.

They should hire Nathan Fielder

And not a single exclamation point for libraries.

And as an ethics lawyer, I find it particularly troubling that some unqualified lawyers are filling these multiple “acting” roles.

Thanks! Sounds like the issue hasn’t been litigated, but the fact that the IG statute expressly overrides the Vacancies Act regarding qualifications supports your conclusion. What a mess!!

Under 20 USC 9103(a)(1) and (3), the IMLS Director is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and must have “special competence with respect to library and information services.”

Regarding Trump’s appointment of Keith Sonderling as Acting Director of IMLS (he’s an employment lawyer who was confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Labor), does the Vacancies Act override statutory qualifications for the position? Any authority on that issue?

And the primary reason the government wants jurisdiction limited to the Federal Court of Claims is that injunctive relief would apparently not be available there. Rights without meaningful remedies. [See footnote 2 of this order from Judge McConnell in a funding freeze case]

ok i wrote about it

Now please. It’s not as if jobs are on the line or anything…

Fun!

I've obtained a copy of the letter sent by IMLS Acting Director Keith Sonderling to state library grantees letting them know their funding was being pulled, effective immediately:

Look at these fucking assholes celebrating defunding libraries.

The statute also mandates that the IMLS Director have “special competence with respect to libraries and information services.” Sonderling is a lawyer serving as Trump’s Deputy Secretary of Labor, not legally qualified for this position.

I guess now