Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Federal Museum and Library Agency

Executive order targets the Institute of Museum and Library Services, raising concerns over cultural preservation, education, and community impact.

President Trump’s executive order calls for reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to statutory functions, with non-mandatory components to be eliminated.
The IMLS, established in 1996, provides over $266 million annually in grants to libraries, museums, and cultural institutions, supporting underserved and rural communities.
Keith Sonderling, recently appointed as acting director of IMLS, is tasked with overseeing the agency’s operations under the guidance of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Advocacy groups, including the American Library Association and the American Alliance of Museums, warn of severe consequences for education, cultural preservation, and community programs if the agency is dismantled.
The legality of the executive order is under debate, as the IMLS was created by Congress and cannot be fully eliminated without legislative action.