Trump-Era Labor Policies Yield Surge in Native-Born Employment
Former President Donald Trump’s commitment to American workers has shown significant results, as recent data reveal a robust labor market for native-born Americans. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nearly two million jobs were added for this group in just one year, while employment among foreign-born workers saw a notable decline.
Between July 2024 and July 2025, native-born jobs grew by 1,998,000—an increase of 1.52%. In stark contrast, the number of jobs held by foreign-born workers dropped by 452,000, marking a decrease of 1.39%. This juxtaposition of figures highlights a decisive shift in the labor market.
Trump celebrated this data as a testament to his economic policies. He tweeted, “🚨 HUGE VICTORY! President Trump’s Secretary of Labor just confirmed that more than 2 MILLION American-born jobs have been created since Trump assumed office.” This statement underscores the administration’s emphasis on prioritizing jobs for American citizens.
Labor Market Divergence
The difference in employment between native-born and foreign-born workers signals an evolving landscape. Economists note that this trend may be influenced by stricter immigration enforcement, changes in federal hiring norms, and varying demands across different industries. The statistics confirm that jobs for American citizens moved from 131,037,000 in July 2024 to 133,035,000 in July 2025, while jobs for foreign-born individuals decreased from 32,518,000 to 32,066,000.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer emphasized the administration’s focus on American workers in her remarks, stating, “Every decision puts the American worker at the pinnacle.” This approach suggests a calculated reorientation of labor policy directed at benefiting those born in the U.S.
Criticism of Job Data Reporting
Despite the encouraging annual data for native-born workers, Trump has voiced skepticism regarding prior labor market reports. He accused the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of inflating job numbers during Biden’s presidency and has announced plans to replace BLS Commissioner Dr. Erika McEntarfer. In his post, Trump said, “I was just informed that our Country’s ‘Jobs Numbers’ are being produced by a Biden Appointee…who faked the Jobs Numbers before the Election.”
This move, culminating in the appointment of E.J. Antoni, is seen as an attempt to secure confidence in labor data. However, some experts argue that the processes involved in compiling these statistics are heavily automated and insulated from political influence. Former BLS Commissioner Erica Groshen pointed out, “Nobody sees them added up until right before the commissioner gets it.” This indicates that while political tensions exist, the integrity of the data remains a concern across the political spectrum.
Overall Job Growth Remains Tepid
The overall job growth figures paint a more cautious picture. July 2025 recorded just 74,000 new jobs, significantly lower than the 110,000 economists anticipated. Revisions to previous months’ data have also raised eyebrows; May’s job numbers fell from 144,000 to a mere 19,000, while June’s figures dropped from 147,000 to only 14,000. Such adjustments hint at vulnerabilities within the labor market even as annual statistics celebrate gains for native-born workers.
This downturn was not uniform. The public sector and manufacturing industries reported job losses, with manufacturing shedding 12,000 jobs in August and a total of 78,000 in the first eight months of 2025. Government employment similarly declined, with federal agencies reducing their workforce by 15,000 positions. Groshen noted, “The weakness is very much in the public and private sector. It’s widespread and it could—I’d say it’s flashing yellow for a recession.”
Policy Implications for the Federal Reserve
The unsteady monthly job figures are intensifying calls for the Federal Reserve to consider lowering interest rates. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt urged Chair Jerome Powell to make the necessary changes, articulating a concern that high-interest rates are hindering employment and capital investment. Chavez-DeRemer reiterated, “Jerome Powell needs to do his job and lower the interest rate for the American People,” indicating the administration’s focus on facilitating job growth through financial policy adjustments.
Market reactions to the employment data have been mixed. Following the report, S&P 500 futures saw a slight increase, while bond yields fell in light of potential rate cuts. Financial analysts warn that while the rise in jobs for American-born citizens may lend political advantage, the overall economic outlook remains uncertain.
Immigration and the Labor Force
The decline in employment among foreign-born workers fits a broader picture of tightened immigration policies. Stricter work authorization processes and adjustments to visa regulations have prioritized high-wage, skilled applicants, suggesting a significant pivot in the administration’s labor philosophy. Although industry representatives have raised concerns about potential labor shortages, officials assert that these policies elevate wages for domestic workers by limiting competition.
“President Trump is reshoring our manufacturing industry,” Leavitt stated, defending the administration’s approach. “Now is the time for the Fed to act and support American production.” Her comments reflect a commitment to sustaining economic policies designed to bolster native-born employment.
Conclusion
The recent employment figures present a significant moment in the discourse around labor and immigration policies. With nearly two million jobs created for native-born Americans in just a year, advocates for Trump’s labor agenda claim this data as validation of their approach. Conversely, the mixed monthly growth and ongoing scrutiny of BLS data raise critical questions about the sustainability of this trend moving forward.
As the economy faces potential headwinds, the future of American workers may significantly influence both economic recovery and political dynamics in the months ahead. The interplay between policy decisions, labor market shifts, and Federal Reserve actions will be key in shaping the outcomes of this evolving landscape.
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