Women Bear Brunt of Trump’s Economic Policies
In a stark reflection of shifting economic tides under the Trump administration, women across the United States are facing disproportionate job losses, vanishing support systems, and mounting caregiving pressures—painting a troubling picture of who’s losing in today’s economy.
Why Women Are Losing Ground
Recent federal workforce cuts have hit sectors dominated by women the hardest. Agencies like the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services—both 63% female—have seen deep budget slashes and mass layoffs. These aren’t just statistics; they’re real people suddenly out of work in fields where alternatives are scarce.
“I was laid off after 12 years at HHS,” shared one reader in a recent New York Times survey. “My grant-funded program was eliminated overnight. No warning.”
The Immigration-Care Crisis Connection
Compounding the problem is the administration’s aggressive anti-immigration stance. Immigrant workers make up 28% of long-term elder care staff and roughly 20% of early childhood educators, according to KFF and the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. With fewer immigrants entering or staying in the U.S., families are struggling to find affordable, reliable care.
For working mothers—and even non-working caregivers—this creates a double bind: no job security, and no support system to fall back on.
By the Numbers: The Gendered Impact
| Metric | Impact on Women |
|---|---|
| Federal workforce in Education & HHS | 63% female |
| Immigrant share of elder care workers | 28% (over 300,000 noncitizens) |
| Immigrant share of child care workers | ~20% |
| Women leaving workforce in 2025 | Disproportionately higher vs. men |
“Can’t Have It All” — Or Just Can’t Survive?
Some suggest women are “choosing” to leave work to focus on family. But for many, it’s not a choice—it’s economic necessity. When childcare costs exceed rent, and elder care is unavailable, staying employed becomes impossible. As one reader put it: “‘Having it all’ shouldn’t mean choosing between feeding my kids and keeping my job.”
The administration’s policies, while framed as fiscal discipline or border security, are creating ripple effects that land heaviest on women—especially those in caregiving roles, public service, or low-wage sectors.
A Call for Systemic Reckoning
Economists and gender policy experts warn that ignoring this trend risks long-term damage to U.S. labor participation, family stability, and economic growth. Without targeted support—like subsidized childcare, immigration reform, and reinvestment in public-sector jobs—the gender gap in employment may widen further.
