Treasury Secretary Faces Backlash for Factory Job Claims for Fired Federal Workers

Scott Bessent, former Treasury Secretary under Trump, suggested that recently fired federal workers could transition to newly created manufacturing jobs due to the administration's tariff policies. In an interview, he claimed that these tariffs would rejuvenate domestic manufacturing, enabling the labor market to absorb those laid off from federal positions. Critics quickly pointed out that the proposed manufacturing jobs would likely pay less and may not materialize for several years, raising concerns about the practicality of such a transition. Detractors also likened Bessent's comments to outdated economic ideologies, questioning the feasibility of this labor shift amidst ongoing economic anxiety. Additionally, former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney criticized current trade adviser Peter Navarro for his controversial role in the tariff policies, underscoring the internal conflicts within the administration regarding trade strategies. Mulvaney called for more reliable information on tariff policies, distancing himself from Navarro's statements that often contradicted consensus within the White House.