The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released its August jobs report, confirming that the labor market is grinding to a halt. BLS reported that only 22,000 jobs were created in August, falling well short of expectations. Revised data from June now shows a net loss of 13,000 jobs—the first time the nation has reported negative job growth since the height of the pandemic.

This report shows widespread stagnation, but the damage is especially severe in manufacturing, where 78,000 jobs have been lost this year—12,000 in August alone.

In response to the continued labor market slump, the BlueGreen Alliance issued a statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“The Trump Slump is accelerating and American workers are paying the price. Donald Trump’s policies are pushing workers to the brink. Instead of creating manufacturing jobs, he has cost us 78,000. American workers deserve a president who puts them first. Trump doesn’t.”