Elon Musk-led DOGE asks AmeriCorps volunteers, who respond to disasters, leave before end of service

AmeriCorps volunteers have been seen working on ground after natural disasters which happened in the US, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Helene in 2024.

By: Express Web Desk

April 17, 2025 07:16 AM IST

2 min read

AmeriCorps volunteers have served 8 million service hours on nearly 3,400 disaster projects since 1999. (AP Photo/ file)

In the latest federal job cuts by the US government, AmeriCorps volunteers, who respond to natural disasters and help with community projects across the United States have been discharged from their duties as a result of President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce and services.

AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) informed its volunteers on Tuesday that they would exit the program ahead of the scheduled timeline “due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control,” reported Associated Press quoting an email.

As per the AmeriCorps’ program website, over 2,000 people aged between 18 and 26 serve for about a year and then get assigned to community organizations or projects with nonprofits or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program of AmeriCorps started in 1994.

AmeriCorps volunteers have been seen working on ground after natural disasters which happened in the US, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Helene in 2024.

A social media post last month by the organisation informed that AmeriCorps volunteers have served 8 million service hours on nearly 3,400 disaster projects since 1999.

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A White House official, on the condition of anonymity, told Associated Press that US President Donald Trump questioned the use of tax payers money for the program led by AmeriCorps volunteers.

Whenever there were discussions about trimming the budget in the Congress, funding for AmeriCorps and NCCC have always been included in it. In the last financial year, the federal agency’s budget showed NCCC funding amounted to nearly $38 million.

The job cuts in AmeriCorps are backed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is being led by President Trump’s advisor billionaire Elon Musk.

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