Trump vs. the Working Class: The NLRB Coup You Should Be Mad About

Gutting worker protections while pretending to fight for them—classic Trump

If there were ever any doubts about Donald Trump's position on labor rights, his recent decision to fire National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and Board Member Gwynne Wilcox should erase them. These unprecedented dismissals are part of a broader attack on the institutions that protect workers, ensuring that corporations and CEOs—rather than employees—hold all the power.

This move is not an isolated event. It fits within a long history of Trump’s policies that favor big business over the working class—a stark contradiction to the populist, blue-collar image he cultivates on the campaign trail. By dismantling worker protections, weakening unions, and ensuring that the NLRB remains ineffective, Trump has demonstrated once again that he is no advocate for the American worker.

The Coffman Chronicle is powered by YOU—no billionaires, no corporate overlords. Help us keep exposing the BS, delivering sharp insights, and keeping you informed.

For just $8 a month or $80 a year, you can fuel the fight and be part of the movement.

Not ready to subscribe? No worries, chaos loves company, and you're always welcome. But if you’re fired up to keep us loud, proud, and unfiltered, smash that subscribe button now!

What Is the NLRB and Why Does It Matter?

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is the independent federal agency responsible for protecting workers' rights to organize, collectively bargain, and challenge unfair labor practices. Created by the Wagner Act of 1935, the NLRB enforces labor laws, investigates employer misconduct, and resolves disputes between unions and businesses.

The NLRB is essential for ensuring that workers have a fair chance to unionize and advocate for better wages and working conditions without employer retaliation. A fully functioning NLRB is crucial for holding corporations accountable when they engage in union-busting, wrongful terminations, or other labor law violations.

Trump’s Long Anti-Labor History

Trump’s labor policies have always been designed to empower employers at the expense of workers. During his first term, he made it more difficult for workers to qualify for overtime pay, attempted to weaken the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate, and gutted OSHA regulations, making workplaces less safe. His administration was packed with corporate-friendly officials who worked to undermine union protections rather than enforce them.

President Joe Biden fired Trump-appointed NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb on his first day in office. Robb was a notorious union buster, and labor advocates celebrated his removal. In stark contrast, Abruzzo, who took over the role, was committed to expanding worker rights—and that’s precisely why Trump fired her in January 2025. He has installed William Cowen to fill the spot until a new nominee can be confirmed by the Senate.

Why Firing Abruzzo and Wilcox Matters

The NLRB was designed to function as a neutral arbiter in labor disputes. This marks the first time a board member has been fired. On his first day in office, Trump removed Wilcox from the Chair position before ultimately firing her, leaving the five-person board with two existing vacancies crippled with just two members. Trump’s firing of both Abruzzo and Wilcox has deliberately crippled the board, leaving it without the quorum needed to issue decisions. This means that cases involving union busting, unfair firings, and wage theft may now sit unresolved for months—or years, giving corporations free rein to violate labor laws without consequence.

Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the NLRB, was crucial in ensuring workers had a voice against corporate exploitation. Her firing—alongside Abruzzo’s—signals an aggressive push to dismantle the institutions designed to protect American workers. Wilcox has filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful termination.

Trump’s Fake Populism

For years, Trump has tried to brand himself as a champion of the American worker. He makes speeches about saving jobs, bringing back manufacturing, and standing up to foreign competition. But talk is cheap, and his policies tell a different story.

While Trump courts union voters, his administration is implementing Project 2025, a right-wing blueprint that seeks to dismantle labor protections, weaken unions, and replace career government employees with corporate-friendly appointees. His push to reclassify thousands of federal workers under "Schedule F" makes it easier to fire those who enforce labor laws. His renewed focus on rolling back emission standards for automakers—while marketed as a pro-worker stance—ultimately benefits CEOs, not factory workers.

Notably, industry giants such as Amazon and SpaceX have challenged the NLRB. This destruction of the board is a gift to big business.

The Bottom Line

The firing of Abruzzo and Wilcox is not just a bureaucratic shake-up. It is a direct attack on workers’ rights. Trump is not a friend to labor—he is a corporate ally disguised as a populist. If his past policies weren’t proof enough, his most recent moves make it clear: Trump’s America is one where big business wins and workers lose.

Sources: The American Prospect, Stinson, Communications Workers Of America, The Guardian, CNBC, Reuters