Experts are sounding the alarm about the potentially devastating economic impacts of Donald Trump’s attacks on Virginia’s workforce.

In a new VPM report, the Weldon Cooper Center calculated that “a 10% reduction in federal civilian jobs, or 18,000 people, would mean a loss of 39,178 in total state employment — wiping out its previous projection of 30,000 new jobs in the commonwealth in 2025.” As noted, Trump promised to move 100,000 jobs away from the DMV area. A new Fox 5 report also details how the job cuts will “drive up unemployment, cause consumer spending to drop, and reduce tax revenue,” all of which threaten a “regional recession.” 

Despite these warnings, Republican statewide candidates continue to fully support Trump’s attacks:

• Gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears told the Associated Press that she backs Trump’s efforts. When asked about the impact on Virginians who are laid off, she doubled down and told the Fredericksburg Free-Press that they’ll be “all right.”
• Attorney General Jason Miyares refused to join over a dozen attorney generals in challenging the authority of Elon Musk and DOGE to fire employees and wipe out entire federal agencies.
• Lieutenant governor candidate Pat Herrity, who represents nearly 80,000 federal workers as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told Fairfax Now he “fully” supports Trump’s attacks.
• Lieutenant governor candidate John Reid has posted multiple times on social media in support of the layoffs, saying “[...] it’s gonna hurt but it has to be done.”

“Economists have been warning about the catastrophic effects Trump’s layoffs will have on every Virginian, yet every Republican candidate refuses to stand up for the Commonwealth’s workforce and economy,” said DPVA Communications Director Kelsey Carolan. “Their continued support for these attacks shows a blatant disregard for the well-being of Virginians and Virginia’s economy.”