Nationwide Anti-Trump Labor Day Protests Target Federal Worker Rights

Labor Day 2025 saw widespread protests across the United States organized primarily by the AFL-CIO and allied groups, targeting President Trump's policies which they view as harmful to working people. Demonstrations occurred in all 50 states, including notable protests at Trump Tower in New York and in Chicago, where activists opposed Trump’s plans to deploy federal troops to cities. The AFL-CIO framed the protests as a celebration of union power and resistance to what they describe as a billionaire-driven agenda, while union leaders criticized cuts to Medicare and tax breaks benefiting the wealthy. President Trump, through White House spokespeople, defended his record as the most pro-worker administration, highlighting his agenda as benefiting working men and women. However, critics emphasize Trump’s actions as the largest single assault on union contracts in American history, with over a million federal workers losing collective bargaining rights due to his contract terminations. Some voices, particularly from leftist outlets, condemned Trump’s militarization of cities and accused the AFL-CIO leadership of avoiding a direct confrontation with his authoritarian policies, while in smaller cities protesters drew parallels between Trump’s actions and historic fascist movements.