On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. The legislation made headlines because of significant cuts to Medicaid and increased spending on immigration enforcement. While less publicized, the bill’s changes to the workplace were also consequential, particularly in relation to overtime.

The last several weeks have been marked by significant fluctuations in financial markets worldwide. Economists state that the Trump Administration’s recent tariffs are the primary drivers of market-related impact. In addition, thousands are also suffering due to job loss and other uncertainties.

The Trump Administration’s first two months were marked by tens of thousands of terminations and proposed terminations in the federal workplace. These recent separation decisions have suddenly and significantly affected a notable portion of the workforce in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia—as well as nationally. The impacts undoubtedly extend to federal contractors (the second largest employer regionally) —with more strain forecasted after President Trump’s February 26, 2025, Executive Order surrounding cutting back on the federal government’s interaction with the private sector.

On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration signed the Executive Orders “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” with the effect of law. Both Executive Orders have a broad scope and include mandatory changes to decades of law surrounding discrimination while rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives for the federal and local governments.