President Donald Trump issued his first Labor Day proclamation since returning to office, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to protecting American jobs and workers.
The proclamation, signed August 28, marks Trump’s first since returning to office in January, signaling renewed focus on domestic manufacturing and employment policies that have defined his political brand.
Trump praised American workers as “the beating heart of our economy” and “the living embodiment of the American Dream.” He highlighted welders, nurses, truckers, farmers, and machinists as examples of the workforce’s diversity.
The president took aim at what he called “a corrupt political class” that allowed American manufacturing to decline in recent decades. He said previous administrations shipped jobs overseas while “building up foreign competitors at the expense of American workers and families.”
Trump said those policies ended on January 20, 2025, his inauguration date. He touted efforts to restore manufacturing, implement buy-American policies, and secure new trade deals.
The proclamation specifically mentioned “hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue” being collected under his leadership. Trump said the funds would help ensure American products receive fair value in international markets.
He pledged that new jobs would go to “American-born workers,” a statement reflecting his administration’s immigration stance. The president described once-struggling communities as now “stirring with new opportunity.”
The proclamation called on public officials and citizens to observe Labor Day with appropriate programs and ceremonies. Trump noted that 2025 marks America’s 250th year of independence.