President Trump's Plan for Hudson River Tunnel Hits a Bitter Snag Among His Own Base
As part of his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump claimed that undocumented immigrants were taking jobs away from American citizens. However, it appears that Trump is now on the verge of doing just that - but with devastating consequences for thousands of construction workers in New York and New Jersey.
The massive Gateway tunnel project, which aims to expand train services between New York City and New Jersey, is facing a critical funding deadline next Friday unless the federal government intervenes. The lack of funding could leave thousands of union workers without jobs, many of whom voted for Trump in his previous elections.
Ironworkers like Ronald Sirois, who have spent decades working on construction sites, are speaking out against Trump's stance. "This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not you, this is not what you are about," Sirois said at a recent Gateway commission meeting. "I know that." The irony of Trump's own blue-collar supporters being affected by his policies is not lost on union leaders.
Norman Brown, a labor boss from New York State, warned that the consequences for Republicans could be severe in upcoming elections. "If he wants to make Biden look good, kill the Gateway project," Brown said. "Union workers... view the immigrants as rivals to their jobs and his appeal to get rid of them." The move has sent shockwaves among union members who had previously backed Trump.
It seems that Trump's attempt to crack down on migrants may have inadvertently turned some of his own supporters against him. As one construction worker put it, "If anything, it's saying they don't matter." With the Gateway project now hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Trump can find a way to salvage his plans and avoid hurting those who had once supported him.
As part of his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump claimed that undocumented immigrants were taking jobs away from American citizens. However, it appears that Trump is now on the verge of doing just that - but with devastating consequences for thousands of construction workers in New York and New Jersey.
The massive Gateway tunnel project, which aims to expand train services between New York City and New Jersey, is facing a critical funding deadline next Friday unless the federal government intervenes. The lack of funding could leave thousands of union workers without jobs, many of whom voted for Trump in his previous elections.
Ironworkers like Ronald Sirois, who have spent decades working on construction sites, are speaking out against Trump's stance. "This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not you, this is not what you are about," Sirois said at a recent Gateway commission meeting. "I know that." The irony of Trump's own blue-collar supporters being affected by his policies is not lost on union leaders.
Norman Brown, a labor boss from New York State, warned that the consequences for Republicans could be severe in upcoming elections. "If he wants to make Biden look good, kill the Gateway project," Brown said. "Union workers... view the immigrants as rivals to their jobs and his appeal to get rid of them." The move has sent shockwaves among union members who had previously backed Trump.
It seems that Trump's attempt to crack down on migrants may have inadvertently turned some of his own supporters against him. As one construction worker put it, "If anything, it's saying they don't matter." With the Gateway project now hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Trump can find a way to salvage his plans and avoid hurting those who had once supported him.