AFSCME’s Saunders: A historic and relentless assault on working people and unions underscore the first 100 days of this administration

“During the campaign, Trump promised to put working people first, lower rising costs on groceries and gas and preserve our earned benefits and health care. Instead, the first one 100 days of this billionaire-run administration have been fueled by lies, broken promises, and a relentless assault on working people and unions.

 

“He has handed over the reins of government to billionaires — appointing the wealthiest cabinet in American history, kicking off a trade war that is raising prices on everyday goods, attacking Social Security and Medicaid, cutting wages for workers, and stripping collective bargaining rights from more than 1 million federal employees. The White House claimed it had nothing to do with Project 2025, yet it has already implemented over one-third of the anti-worker agenda, often sidestepping Congress and the courts to do so.

 

“The fallout has been immediate. Retirees are left wondering how to navigate Social Security as staff are laid off, offices are closed, and services are cut. People are watching their retirement savings shrink. Lifesaving health and safety regulations have been put on hold. Students with disabilities are losing vital support from the Department of Education. The Department of Health and Human Services is clawing back funding from states, cities and towns to fight infectious diseases as measles is on the rise, and it’s just the beginning. It is clear that Medicaid cuts are next on the agenda, kicking millions of retirees, children and working people off their health care and upending our entire health care system.

 

"This administration refuses to reverse course, because its No. 1 goal is to hand out massive tax breaks to billionaires by robbing our communities of public services and workers of our power. Make no mistake — this will devastate our economy.

 

“In response, workers across the country are organizing with AFSCME to build real people power. Tens of thousands of public service workers have joined AFSCME since the start of the year. They are getting organized — hosting town halls, mobilizing their co-workers, and flooding Congress with thousands of letters, calls and petitions demanding action to rein in this hostile takeover.

 

“In the courts, AFSCME is fighting to stop the mass firings of federal employees, safeguard Americans’ Social Security data, block the unlawful shutdown of federal agencies, challenge cuts of federal grants to state and local governments that fund essential public services, contest the elimination of collective bargaining rights, and more.

 

“No matter how this administration attempts to reframe and erase history, we will never forget: It is working people who are the backbone of this nation. We built the middle-class. We built this country, and we will fight to protect our freedom to thrive.”