The Trump administration has made significant changes to AmeriCorps, placing about 75% of its full-time employees on administrative leave. This decision affects a total of 535 out of the agency’s 700 staff members. The move comes as the administration aims to rebuild the volunteer agency, which was established during Bill Clinton’s presidency in 1993.
This shift in AmeriCorps operations was confirmed by an administration official and is seen as a fresh start for the agency. Volunteers in the National Civilian Community Corps program, which focuses on youth volunteer opportunities, were also pulled from the field ahead of this announcement. Additionally, contracts worth roughly $250 million have been canceled.
Despite these drastic changes, the administration assures that AmeriCorps will continue to exist, albeit with a complete overhaul of its operations. The agency has faced scrutiny in recent years, having failed eight consecutive audits and drawing criticism for mismanagement of taxpayer funds. The House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee highlighted these issues, with Republican Rep. Burgess Owens stating that AmeriCorps has a troubling history of not being able to account for its spending.
AmeriCorps has received around $1 billion annually from taxpayers, but concerns about accountability and effectiveness have been raised repeatedly. The agency’s 2024 management report emphasizes priorities like advancing racial and economic equity, but critics argue that it has not met basic accountability standards.
As the Trump administration seeks to reform AmeriCorps, it faces pressure to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively. The future of the agency remains uncertain as it embarks on this new path, with calls for a thorough evaluation of its programs and goals.