Senior figures in the American labor movement are sharply criticizing recent social media content from the U.S. Department of Labor, saying its tone and imagery suggest a troubling and dangerous shift in rhetoric under the Trump administration.
The controversy centers on posts from the department’s official accounts that promote phrases like “One Homeland. One People. One Heritage” alongside video celebrating American workers. Critics, including historians and union presidents, say this messaging echoes slogans used by Nazi Germany and appears to erase the contributions of diverse communities.
Christopher Hayes, a labor historian at Rutgers University, described the resemblance to historical fascist language as deeply alarming, questioning the motives behind the campaign and its potential impact. Leaders from major unions, such as the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and National Nurses United, have also condemned the posts, accusing the department of repeatedly relying on imagery and language associated with far-right and exclusionary ideologies.
Those union officials argue that the content promotes a narrow definition of “Americanism” that marginalizes workers from different backgrounds and feeds into divisive political narratives. They contend that federal agencies should focus on inclusive support for all workers rather than adopting messaging that could be interpreted as exclusionary or racially charged.
In response, a Department of Labor spokesperson said the social media campaign was intended to highlight the role of American workers and celebrate their contributions. The department has not publicly addressed the specific comparisons to extremist slogans made by critics.
Many in the labor movement, including some within the department itself, have expressed concern that this direction could weaken trust in the agency and distract from its core mission of advocating for workers’ rights.
U.S. Labor Leaders Criticize Federal Messaging as Shifting Toward White Supremacy
By Media Team
