A new Golden Age: 10 ways the American worker is winning

When he arrived in office, President Trump promised to put the American worker first, and that promise has been kept. In just one year, his America First agenda has translated into real results for working families across the nation. With rising wages, falling inflation, and a surge in job creation, our economy is roaring back and the American worker is winning.

Here’s how this Administration has been delivering:  

• Under President Trump, wage growth was up 4.1% in the last three months of 2025, inflation has plunged to its lowest point in nearly five years, and the unemployment rate is at a low 4.4%. More than 650,000 jobs have been created since he returned to office, and that number continues to climb.
• The President wasted no time putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans. The Working Families Tax Cut Act, signed in July, means the average family of four will see a take-home pay increase of as much as $13,300. The law also eliminates taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
• We are also committed to ensuring American jobs go to American workers. Last year, the Department of Labor began Project Firewall to ensure employers do not unlawfully displace American workers with cheap foreign labor. We have launched nearly 200 investigations into companies suspected of abusing the H-1B visa program.
• To provide greater clarity for business owners as they navigate modern work arrangements, we’ve issued guidance on the classification of independent contractors and are considering the appropriate standard to determine joint employer status.  
• We’ve also rescinded Biden-era guidance that restricted crypto in retirement investments and are taking steps to allow 401(k) investors to access alternative assets. By giving retirement plan fiduciaries greater clarity and flexibility in evaluating investments, we are helping Americans grow and protect their hard-earned retirement savings.

Developing the workforce of the future is a cornerstone of our commitment to American workers and industry, and the Department of Labor is at the forefront of the Administration’s efforts. Here are some of the ways we’re moving the needle:

• Apprenticeships provide a debt-free alternative to a four-year degree and give workers the skills for mortgage-paying jobs. Last year, the Department of Labor added more than 315,000 new apprentices and is on track to reach President Trump’s goal of 1 million new active apprentices to fill in-demand jobs.
• We have partnered with the Education Department to build a streamlined federal education and workforce system that gives students clearer, more direct pathways from school to careers.  
• The Department of Labor is laying the groundwork for global artificial intelligence dominance. President Trump’s AI Action Plan established a roadmap for a new era of economic prosperity, starting with boosting AI literacy and investing in skills training. As part of the plan, we will launch an AI Workforce Hub to study how AI affects jobs and guide future workforce policy.
• To date, we have awarded $86 million in new skills training investments to support in-demand AI infrastructure careers, helping American workers succeed as new technology creates new jobs.
• The Working Families Tax Cut Act also expands Pell Grants for students pursuing technical education, creating more opportunities for future tradesmen and women.

America First is more than a slogan; it's the guiding principle behind every policy we enact, and the results speak for themselves: more jobs, higher pay, and a secure future for American families. From cutting red tape to defending our workers and preparing them for the jobs of the future, this administration has kept its promise. With President Trump at the helm, we are not just witnessing an economic recovery — we are building a new Golden Age of prosperity for American workers.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer is the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Follow her on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Truth Social.