President Donald J. Trump convened his Cabinet for the seventh time in his second term, focusing on achievements related to American workers as Labor Day approaches. The meeting highlighted several areas where administration officials say progress has been made during the past eight months.
President Trump began by pointing to increases in blue-collar wages, private sector job growth, domestic steel production, new trade agreements, and tax cuts as key successes for workers.
Vice President JD Vance addressed public safety: “Public safety is not just something that should belong to the wealthy. It should belong to every working man and woman in the United States of America — and because of the work of this Administration, that is happening.”
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer reported on job growth and workforce support: “Unemployment is holding steady and more than two million net jobs for native-born Americans has been key under your leadership. 84% of the workforce and jobs has been produced by the private sector… [The One Big Beautiful Bill] is protecting our American workforce by expanding Pell Grants and childcare and a reduction in taxes.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum cited policies aimed at lowering taxes and deregulation: “You’ve led an opportunity for us to have lower taxes, way lower deregulation, record amounts of investments that’s coming into this country, we’re going to be seeing lower interest rates. All of those things coming together is a gift to the working people. The policies are lifting everybody up.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon discussed changes in schools: “What I’m finding with great joy around the country is that states really are being innovative in working more with middle schools and with high schools to make sure that we are having hands-on learning, pathways to jobs that are happening now… They’re learning on the job so that when they graduate from high school, they’re ready to go into the workforce.”
Housing Secretary Scott Turner spoke about efforts at HUD: “We have, at HUD, been very intentional about changing the conversation about the dignity of work and the dignity and the honor of family formation through work — and how the younger generation, when they see their parents work, how they’re incentivized to work.”
Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler outlined tax policy impacts: “[The One Big Beautiful Bill is delivering] the largest tax cut in American history for working families. The average family of four is going to save about $10,000 take home pay more a year. We’re seeing an increase in the Child Tax Credit, an increase in the standard deduction — hardworking families are going to benefit from this bill.”
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins focused on expanded access for veterans: “We’ve opened new facilities. We’ve put new facilities in places where workers can get to. We’ve expanded out hours — over a million extra hours so younger veterans, in particular, can get off work and bring themselves to get their appointments after hours or on Saturdays… That’s what it means for Labor Day because we can’t forget the ones that fought for us.”
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer compared wage trends between administrations: “In the last quarter of 2024, median weekly earnings fell 2.1%. In the first quarter of your term, they went up 3.3% — and that’s why we’re doing the trade policy we’re doing. It’s to help the workers of the United States.”
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said rural communities would see increased funding: “We’re raising an infusion of cash to rural hospitals and rural communities by 50%. It’s going to be the biggest infusion in history and it’s going to restore and revitalize these communities. We can’t survive as a nation if we don’t honor our rural communities.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described border security results: “Today, the average family and individual that lives in this country is safer than they’ve been in years… We’ve got three months in a row now with zero illegal aliens coming into our country… 1.6 million people voluntarily go home to their home countries — that were here in this country illegally.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted fuel prices: “You led off today talking about gasoline prices. I’ll throw in diesel. If you correct for inflation, they’re at multi-decade lows.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced foreign policy priorities: “You made it very clear from the outset, even in foreign policy, everything we did has to be pro-American — it has to make America stronger or safer or more prosperous… For the first time in the modern era, we are truly on offense against organized cartels that are pumping poison — killer poison — into our cities.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke about fiscal matters: “Economic security is national security and our country has never been so secure… Your Administration has made a meaningful dent in the budget deficit. The average budget deficit during this term is 26% less than the last twelve months under Biden.”
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized investment outside urban centers: “The Big Beautiful Bill… is the greatest investment in rural America in history… A game-changer, a country saver.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy talked about infrastructure projects: “We want to take the money that Congress gives us and actually deploy it and put these men and women to work building the great projects of this country… and that’s why we got rid of DEI; we’ve got rid of ‘green’… We’re going move these projects faster putting great American worker back to work.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned drug enforcement efforts: “[Illegal alien gangs] and others throughout this country...have brought into our country drugs...It’s killing our kids...that’s what you’ve been doing...at your leadership."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described personnel standards at DoD: “[The Department of Defense is] ...the largest employer...No more [social justice]. Now...only merit-based...the best from top bottom..."
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained actions regarding CHIPS funds before inauguration day.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated plans for further deregulation.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard commented on internal intelligence investigations.
OMB Director Russ Vought gave figures on deregulatory initiatives.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described aid efforts abroad.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe reflected on agency focus under current leadership.
