President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promises to cut back on the federal workforce and potentially relocate agencies from the DMV area to other parts of the country have created concern among Maryland residents, as the state houses a significant portion of federal jobs. Maryland ranks fourth in the country for federal jobs, with around 160,000 civilian federal jobs paying a total of $25 billion in wages.
While Trump has not specified plans for cutbacks, he has appointed individuals to head a new Department of Government Efficiency with the goal of reducing federal spending and employment. This has raised questions about the potential impact on federal employees in Maryland, many of whom commute to Washington, D.C. and Virginia for work.
Maryland’s economy is deeply intertwined with the federal government, with federal wages and pensions impacting more than 300,000 households in the state. President Joe Biden’s administration had previously reversed some of Trump’s efforts to relocate agencies, highlighting the potential back-and-forth nature of federal workforce decisions.
Local union members, such as those representing workers who provide services to federal buildings, have expressed concerns about potential job losses. The uncertainty surrounding the future of federal employment in Maryland has left many residents waiting to see how Trump’s administration will proceed, and how it may impact their livelihoods. As discussions continue, state officials and experts urge caution and patience in assessing the potential effects of any changes to the federal workforce in Maryland.
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