MADE IN AMERICA - TRUMP'S IMPACT ON AMERICAN WORKERS
The Trump administration's policies have often harmed American workers by prioritizing corporate interests over labor rights and economic security. One notable example was the decision to cut federal jobs, particularly through the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts under the guise of fiscal responsibility, which directly impacted job security for American workers. Meanwhile, Trump's "God Bless the USA" Bibles, ironically manufactured in China, underscored the hypocrisy in his economic nationalist rhetoric. His push to dismantle the CHIPS Act, which aimed to strengthen domestic manufacturing, further undermined American jobs in critical industries. Trump’s support for outsourcing also extended to defending H1B visas, which many argue displaced American workers in tech. Additionally, under his administration, there was a dangerous relaxation of child labor laws and changes to OSHA standards, making it easier for corporations to exploit workers. Trump's consistently anti-union stance added to the strain on American labor, discouraging workers from organizing for better conditions and pay. Together, these actions reflect a broader trend of undermining American workers in favor of deregulation and corporate profit.
federal worker layoffs (30,000 -80,000 employees so far)
Under the leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), many federal programs that had a net positive impact on society have been cut, leaving vulnerable populations at risk. These cuts often target critical services such as healthcare, education, and social safety nets that help lift people out of poverty, support public health, and ensure access to essential resources. By slashing these programs, DOGE has jeopardized long-term social welfare and economic stability, disregarding the broader societal benefits that these initiatives provided to both individuals and communities.
US Postal Service (USPS)
Elon Musk has advocated for the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), while former President Trump has suggested merging it with the Commerce Department. In March, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy committed to making USPS more efficient by cutting 10,000 jobs and reducing its budget by billions, including a review of its real estate portfolio. However, shortly after, DeJoy announced his immediate resignation. In response, postal worker unions have organized protests across the country, opposing the proposed cuts and potential dismantling of USPS.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Trump administration, with the help of DOGE, has focused on “identifying fraud” within the Social Security Administration (SSA), citing overpayments and payments to deceased individuals. However, a Business Insider analysis shows that these errors account for less than 1% of SSA's total payouts, much less than claimed by Trump and Musk. The SSA has been heavily impacted by cuts to its workforce, leading to concerns from employees that delays in payments and hindered ability to process claims and issue Social Security cards could occur. Additionally, the agency banned workers from accessing news on their devices, which has led to difficulties in confirming deaths through obituaries, further delaying claims. The Trump administration also reduced phone services and implemented an in-person ID requirement, both of which are expected to worsen customer service.
Department of Defense (DoD)
DOGE has targeted the Department of Defense (DoD), which has a budget of over $800 billion. Trump, along with his national security adviser Mike Waltz, has suggested that the Pentagon has significant inefficiencies, particularly in U.S. shipbuilding. Some DoD employees were included in mass layoffs, and their future is uncertain as the Trump administration contests a court order to reinstate them. On March 20, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the termination of over $580 million in programs, contracts, and grants identified as “wasteful”, including funding for human resources initiatives and grants aimed at decarbonizing Navy ships and developing machine learning models.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
DOGE has targeted the IRS, seeking access to its highly sensitive data systems, including the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), which contains taxpayer information. Initially, the IRS considered granting DOGE broad access, but the White House intervened, allowing only read-only, anonymized access to the data. This limited access came after concerns were raised about the potential misuse of sensitive information. Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren expressed concerns, warning that DOGE’s access could be used for political targeting. Additionally, the IRS has faced significant staff cuts, which could impact its ability to enforce tax laws and result in a projected $500 billion drop in revenue.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Elon Musk has advocated for the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), while former President Trump has suggested merging it with the Commerce Department. In March, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy committed to making USPS more efficient by cutting 10,000 jobs and reducing its budget by billions, including a review of its real estate portfolio. However, shortly after, DeJoy announced his immediate resignation. In response, postal worker unions have organized protests across the country, opposing the proposed cuts and potential dismantling of USPS.
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on February 5 that it was collaborating with DOGE to improve resource use in alignment with President Trump's goals. In response, Musk claimed on X that Medicare and Medicaid are where "the big money fraud is happening." On February 12, 32 Democratic Senators sent a letter urging Trump and Musk to refrain from interfering with Medicare or Medicaid, warning that DOGE's involvement could harm Americans' healthcare by making politically motivated decisions that block care and payments.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Elon Musk has advocated for the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), while former President Trump has suggested merging it with the Commerce Department. In March, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy committed to making USPS more efficient by cutting 10,000 jobs and reducing its budget by billions, including a review of its real estate portfolio. However, shortly after, DeJoy announced his immediate resignation. In response, postal worker unions have organized protests across the country, opposing the proposed cuts and potential dismantling of USPS.
Department of Education (DoE)
Trump has consistently advocated for shutting down the Department of Education (ED). On March 20, he signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of eliminating the department. Trump, supported by some GOP lawmakers, argues that education should be managed at the state and local levels. However, fully shutting down the department requires congressional approval. Prior to the executive order, DOGE had already canceled several ED contracts, including ones worth millions of dollars, and terminated 89 contracts totaling $881 million.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
DOGE's early target was the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which distributes global humanitarian aid. In 2024, USAID allocated nearly $32.5 billion for aid to countries like Ukraine, Jordan, and Ethiopia. Elon Musk accused USAID of being a "criminal organization" and stated he was working to dismantle it. Soon after, USAID workers were told to stay home, and many were placed on leave. A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempts to shut down the agency, but by the end of February, USAID’s contracts were largely canceled. The Supreme Court later ruled in favor of releasing nearly $2 billion in foreign aid funds. On March 10, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83% of USAID's programs were canceled, with the rest absorbed into the State Department. Experts warned that dismantling USAID could strengthen China's global influence.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
After a deadly American Airlines crash in January, Elon Musk announced he would target the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He criticized the FAA’s safety notification system and claimed that Trump approved DOGE to help improve air traffic control. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Musk’s involvement, while Senator Ted Cruz expressed confidence in Musk’s ability to upgrade the FAA. However, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell raised concerns about Musk’s conflict of interest, given his role as CEO of SpaceX, which has faced FAA fines for violations. Despite this, the FAA began testing SpaceX’s Starlink terminals at various sites. Later, Duffy confirmed SpaceX engineers would assist in modernizing the air traffic control system.
US Treasury
Trump granted Musk and his DOGE team access to the Treasury Department's digital payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in payments like Social Security benefits and tax refunds. This decision faced backlash from Democratic lawmakers and federal workers' unions, who sued the Treasury for granting Musk access to sensitive data. Trump defended the move, claiming it was for DOGE to find government waste reductions. The Treasury later limited DOGE’s access, allowing Musk’s allies only read-only access. In March, a federal judge blocked DOGE’s access to personal data at the Treasury, Education, and Personnel Management departments.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Trump has threatened to overhaul or eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), criticizing it as inefficient, slow, and costly. Musk joined the criticism, claiming FEMA misused disaster relief funds for luxury hotels for migrants, a claim that was refuted by New York City officials. Following Musk's post, FEMA suspended the payments, and four officials, including the agency's CFO, were fired for their involvement.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
On February 6, Democratic lawmakers accused Elon Musk's associates and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of targeting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which handles weather forecasting and climate data. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jamie Raskin, along with other Maryland Democrats, expressed concern that DOGE aimed to break up NOAA and merge it with the Department of the Interior, undermining the agency's vital services. The lawmakers argued that these actions were illegal without congressional approval and would negatively impact public safety. The Trump administration had already laid off hundreds of NOAA workers, which experts warned could worsen weather forecasts.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Musk has called for the elimination of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was created in 2011 to protect Americans from financial scams and abusive practices. On February 7, Musk posted "CFPB RIP" alongside a tombstone emoji. In response, Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ordered the CFPB to halt most of its work and stop issuing public communications. The agency suspended operations, shut down its DC headquarters, and began terminating staff. Richard Cordray, the CFPB's first director, warned that dismantling the agency would lead to chaos in consumer finance and argued that Musk's push to shut it down, especially with his plans for financial services through X, may present a conflict of interest.
Probationary Federal Workers (Those in their roles for less than two years)
The Trump administration laid off thousands of probationary workers across various federal agencies, including the Forest Service, CDC, FDA, IRS, and more. However, on March 13, US District Judge William Alsup ruled that the mass firings at six federal agencies violated federal law and ordered the affected employees to be rehired. Later that day, Judge James Bredar issued a similar order for 18 federal agencies to reinstate their probationary workers. The Department of the Interior is complying while appealing, and the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
DEI Initiatives
On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order eliminating federal roles, offices, and programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Just 11 days later, DOGE announced the termination of 104 government contracts related to DEI initiatives across 30 agencies. In response to Trump's directive, federal agencies have been working to eliminate DEI-related programs, webpages, and jobs. For example, the Department of Defense removed certain DEI-related content from its website, including a page on Jackie Robinson and an article about the highest-ranking Black Medal of Honor recipient, though both were later restored.
God Bless the USA Bibles made in China
Trump didn’t make his Bible in American factories
Thousands of copies of former President Trump's "God Bless the USA" Bible were printed in China, with nearly 120,000 copies shipped to the U.S. earlier this year, according to trade records. Despite Trump’s rhetoric on bringing manufacturing back to America, the Bibles were produced in China at a cost of less than $3 per Bible, totaling $342,000 for the shipments. Trump, in partnership with musician Lee Greenwood, began selling the Bibles, citing the importance of religion in America. The controversy deepens due to the fact that while Trump’s administration had exempted religious texts from tariffs on Chinese goods, his tough stance on China contradicts the production of these Bibles overseas. Additionally, accusations have arisen in Oklahoma regarding the state's Bibles-in-schools program, which seems to favor the Trump-backed Bibles over others.
Oklahoma school regulations were specifically made to purchase these Trump-endorsed Bibles for public schools.
Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters has stirred controversy by mandating that every public school classroom in the state be equipped with a Bible, along with foundational U.S. documents. The request for bids to fulfill this requirement is so specific that it seems to favor the "God Bless the USA Bible," endorsed by Donald Trump. This Bible merges religious texts with political documents, promoting Christian nationalism. The directive raises serious church-state concerns, as it could lead to religious indoctrination in public schools, and some officials are pushing back. Additionally, the bid’s specifications may violate state law by limiting competition and possibly involving a fundraising scheme for Trump’s campaign, since he reportedly earns a commission on the Bible sales. Legal challenges have already emerged, with taxpayers and lawmakers questioning the legality and appropriateness of the plan.
Forcing federal workers back in the office
Trump signed an executive order forcing federal employees back to the office.
Project 2025 Link
“Take a close and analytically critical look at where hybrid and remote work is a net positive as a functional necessity and where in-person collaboration and presence will help to instill a strong work ethic and a more cohesive environment for productivity from the Office of the Secretary across the headquarters enterprise.” (651)
Dismantle the CHIPS act
President Donald Trump criticized the CHIPS and Science Act, a landmark 2022 law that allocated $52.7 billion in subsidies for semiconductor chip manufacturing in the U.S. Trump called the law a "horrible" waste of money, arguing that it didn't achieve meaningful results and suggested that the funds should be used to reduce the national debt instead. The CHIPS Act, signed by President Joe Biden, aims to address national security risks by incentivizing global semiconductor companies to build factories in the U.S., with major investments from companies like Samsung, Intel, TSMC, and Micron. Despite these investments, Trump questioned the need for government subsidies, proposing that simply avoiding new tariffs could encourage manufacturers to build U.S. factories. His remarks sparked concern, with critics arguing that his opposition could harm the U.S. semiconductor industry, particularly in states like Arizona where companies like TSMC are making significant investments. Some officials also raised concerns about Trump's potential to invalidate agreements made during Biden's administration.
Maga infighting about H1B Visas
Vivek Ramaswamy called Americans Dumb
Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate, sparked controversy when he referred to Americans as "dumb" during a speech. He argued that the public has been misled by elites and that the nation's political and economic systems are being manipulated to the detriment of ordinary citizens. Ramaswamy's remarks were aimed at criticizing how the media, government, and corporations influence public opinion, claiming that most Americans lack the critical thinking skills necessary to recognize this manipulation. His comments led to backlash, with critics accusing him of insulting the intelligence of the very people he seeks to represent. Despite the controversy, Ramaswamy maintained his stance, positioning himself as a political outsider who is challenging the status quo and advocating for more informed political engagement.
The Rich v. the Racist
The debate over H1B visas has sparked significant infighting within Trump’s circle, particularly between far-right anti-immigration supporters and newer backers like Elon Musk. Trump, who had previously criticized the program and placed restrictions on it during his first term, has now expressed support for the H1B visa program, calling it essential for attracting global talent in fields like technology and medicine. The visa program allows about 80,000 foreign workers into the U.S. for up to six years. The debate has become heated, with some of Trump's supporters even lobbing racist insults, while Musk has been involved in fiery exchanges. This clash highlights the deep divisions within Trump’s supporters over immigration issues.
Loosening Child Labor Laws
A new bill in Florida seeks to loosen child labor protections, allowing children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts without breaks, including on school nights, to address labor shortages caused by immigration enforcement. Governor Ron DeSantis supports the bill, suggesting that it will fill labor gaps left by deported immigrant workers, especially in the state's tourism and agriculture industries. Critics argue that the bill could exploit vulnerable teenagers, subjecting them to excessive hours and unsafe working conditions. The proposal has alarmed child labor advocates and immigration groups, who see it as a direct response to the state's anti-immigrant stance, which has led to workforce shortages. With significant pushback, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the bill’s implications for both children and the broader workforce.
Project 2025 Link
Hazard-Order Regulations. Some young adults show an interest in inherently dangerous jobs. Current rules forbid many young people, even if their family is running the business, from working in such jobs. This results in worker shortages in dangerous fields and often discourages otherwise interested young workers from trying the more dangerous job. With parental consent and proper training, certain young adults should be allowed to learn and work in more dangerous occupations. This would give a green light to training programs and build skills in teenagers who may want to work in these fields.
DOL should amend its hazard-order regulations to permit teenage workers access to work in regulated jobs with proper training and parental consent. (p. 595)
Changes to OSHA in this new administration
Under the Trump administration, changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) weakened protections for American workers. The administration rolled back regulations aimed at improving workplace safety, such as limiting the scope of rules for protecting workers from hazardous chemicals and reducing penalties for safety violations. Trump’s approach prioritized deregulation, arguing that it would reduce burdens on businesses, but critics argued it put workers' health and safety at greater risk. These changes were seen as part of a broader pattern of favoring corporate interests over the welfare of workers, undermining the agency’s ability to enforce safety standards effectively. Trump has nominated David Keeling to lead OSHA during his administration. While Keeling does have four decades of experience working for UPS and two years working for Amazon, many speculate that anyone willing to work in Trump's administration do not have the best interests of workers in mind.
Rollback of Injury Reporting Rules
Under Keeling, OSHA may scale back Biden-era rules requiring companies to electronically submit and publicly release injury and illness data.
End of Public Data Releases
Keeling's OSHA is unlikely to continue the public release of injury data, ending the Biden administration's practice of sharing detailed injury records.
Scrapping the 'Union Walkaround Rule'
Keeling’s OSHA may reduce or eliminate the rule allowing third-party representatives, including union officials, to join OSHA inspections in non-union workplaces.
Heat Illness Prevention Regulation Pause
Keeling’s OSHA may halt the development of a nationwide heat safety standard, focusing instead on enforcing the existing Water.Rest.Shade program.
Inspection and Enforcement Reshaping
Keeling’s OSHA may streamline inspections, focusing on high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and logistics, while easing regulations for lower-risk sectors.
End of Infectious Disease Standard
Keeling’s OSHA is expected to end the broader infectious disease standard for healthcare employers, reducing focus on pandemic-related regulations.
Rise of State-Level Regulations
As federal rules potentially roll back, states with their own OSHA plans (e.g., California, Oregon) may implement stricter safety regulations, requiring employers to track multiple state requirements.
Union Busting
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order using authority granted by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) to end collective bargaining with Federal unions in the following agencies with national security missions
Trump has issued an executive order stripping collective-bargaining rights from nearly one million federal employees, citing national security concerns. This decision has sparked criticism, particularly from unions like the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which argue that it is politically motivated retaliation for union opposition to Trump’s policies. The order impacts a wide range of federal workers, including those at agencies unrelated to national security, such as the Veterans Administration and Food and Drug Administration. The move is part of Trump’s broader efforts to reduce the size and influence of the federal government, with many agencies already undergoing significant workforce cuts. The AFGE has filed lawsuits challenging the legality of this action, while experts argue that it undermines workers' rights without justifying the national security rationale. This order also highlights broader political tensions, including the shifting relationship between Trump, unions, and federal workers.