Fairfax County’s top elected officials at the state and local level united this morning (Wednesday) to urge Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration to provide more support for fired federal workers.
In a joint statement, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), who represents southeastern Fairfax, pinned the “staggering rise in unemployment” across the county on “the reckless policies of Donald Trump” and the “complicity” of Virginia’s Republican leaders.
“As we face some of the highest unemployment rates in nearly four years, it is evident that the leadership of Trump, Youngkin, Earle-Sears, and Miyares is out of touch with the realities facing working families,” McKay and Surovell said. “Their misguided approach to governance has resulted in real suffering for our residents, and it is unacceptable.”
The number of unemployed Fairfax County residents in May jumped to 21,705, or 3.3% of the workforce — a 5% increase from April and a 35% increase from May 2024, according to the most recent data from the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
That’s the most unemployed residents in the county since August 2021, when 22,600 people, or 3.6% of the workforce, were without jobs as the economy was recovering from the widespread layoffs and shutdowns early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, including neighboring Arlington County and Falls Church City, are also seeing their highest levels of unemployment since the first years of the pandemic.
The current uptick in unemployment appears to be largely driven by the Trump administration’s mass layoffs of federal workers and funding cuts that have affected the contractors who make up a significant portion of Fairfax County’s economy.
With approximately 80,000 residents, or about 13% of the workforce, directly employed by the federal government, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) projected in April that President Donald Trump’s downsizing plans could have a more devastating impact on the local economy than Covid did.
According to a CNN tracker, at least 51,224 federal workers have been laid off or targeted for layoffs so far — a number that will likely rise after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with its cuts last week. Since then, the state, education and health and human services departments, among others, have all moved forward with planned firings, though the Department of Veterans Affairs scaled back its plans.
The economic implications of Trump’s workforce and funding cuts extend beyond those employed by federal agencies, Surovell and McKay noted.
“Federal contractors face uncertainty as contracts are canceled, and the downstream economic impact threatens to undermine the prosperity that has long defined Fairfax County,” they said. “Our local businesses, from restaurants to retail establishments, are already feeling the effects as consumer spending declines among affected families.”
Though local level data isn’t available, the U.S. Commerce Department reported on June 27 that consumer spending nationwide dropped 0.1% in May, as people pulled back on spending on transportation, food, gas and hospitality services, including restaurants and hotels.
In their statement, Surovell and McKay, both Democrats, placed blame on statewide Republican leaders as well as Trump, arguing that their actions — or lack thereof — could undermine “decades of leadership that has made Fairfax County the economic engine of Virginia.”
In addition to criticizing Youngkin for backing the federal job cuts, even while acknowledging that they can be “wildly disruptive,” the pair called on Attorney General Jason Miyares to join other state attorneys general in taking legal action to protect workers.
A coalition of 24 Democratic-led states and D.C. sued the Trump administration on Monday (July 14) for freezing more than $6 billion in education grants that support after-school programs, English-language learning and other services. The frozen funds included more than $13 million expected for Fairfax County Public Schools, Superintendent Michelle Reid reported last Thursday (July 10).
“A job-posting website alone will not solve this crisis — we need robust, funded programs that provide real pathways to employment,” McKay and Surovell said, referring to the “Virginia Has Jobs” portal that Youngkin launched in February.
They suggested that the state support “comprehensive retraining programs, expedited licensing for professional certifications, extended unemployment benefits, and direct coordination with private sector employers.”
Youngkin responds
When asked about McKay and Surovell’s criticisms, Youngkin communications director Rob Damschen dismissed their statement as “partisan theatrics and political stunts,” pointing to past instances of higher unemployment rates in Fairfax under Democratic governors.
Damschen says Youngkin is committed to working “with everyone, including the federal government, to grow public and private sector jobs and opportunities in Virginia,” citing last month’s announcement that the U.S. Housing and Urban Development will relocate its headquarters to Alexandria as an example.
The move is expected to bring over 2,700 HUD employees to an office currently occupied by the National Science Foundation. Alexandria leaders have expressed hope that they’ll be able to keep the 1,800 displaced NSF workers in the city.
“Since day one, Governor Youngkin has worked to make Virginia more competitive against states that are winning business investment and people by focusing on the fundamentals: reducing taxes and cost of living, investing in education and workforce, expanding critical infrastructure, streamlining regulations and making it easier for private industry to build,” Damschen said. “In contrast, localities like Fairfax have chosen to raise taxes and make business growth more difficult.”
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a real estate tax rate cut for the current fiscal year 2026, though increased home values will still result in higher bills for most property owners. The quarter-cent decrease is being offset by a new 4% meals tax set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Fairfax County has its own resource hub for affected federal employees.
Earlier this summer, the FCEDA joined other Northern Virginia economic development organizations in offering free seminars to help workers “successfully transition into new opportunities.” The FCEDA currently has 48,455 active job listings.
An emergency committee convened by Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-88) has been meeting periodically throughout the year to review the impacts of the federal workforce and funding reductions. Due to finalize a report on Dec. 15, the committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond.
McKay and Surovell’s full statement is below.
“We are dismayed by the staggering rise in unemployment across Fairfax County, which has reached levels not seen since mid-2021. With over 21,700 residents now unemployed—a shocking 35% increase from last year—it is clear that the reckless policies of Donald Trump and the complicity of statewide Republican leadership are directly responsible for this crisis. This threatens the decades of leadership that has made Fairfax County the economic engine of Virginia.
The Trump administration’s disastrous workforce cuts have left our communities vulnerable, and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s failure to take decisive action has only deepened the economic pain felt by families across our region. Instead of prioritizing the needs of Virginians, Youngkin has chosen to align himself with the same failed policies that have led to this economic downturn. His inaction speaks volumes about his commitment to the people he claims to serve.
Adding to this crisis is Attorney General Jason Miyares’ failure to take legal action to protect federal workers, unlike other state Attorneys General who have stepped up to defend their constituents. This lack of leadership only exacerbates the challenges faced by our workforce and highlights a troubling disregard for the livelihoods of Virginians.
As we face some of the highest unemployment rates in nearly four years, it is evident that the leadership of Trump, Youngkin, Earle-Sears, and Miyares is out of touch with the realities facing working families. Their misguided approach to governance has resulted in real suffering for our residents, and it is unacceptable.
The numbers tell a stark story: Fairfax County’s unemployment rate has climbed to 3.3%, with the May 2025 total representing the highest level of joblessness since August 2021. This dramatic increase has occurred despite our region’s historical resilience and the availability of over 126,000 open positions throughout Northern Virginia, prior to Trump taking office. The disconnect between available jobs and displaced federal workers reveals the specific and targeted nature of this crisis.
Instead of giving lip service to our federal workers and cheering on federal workforce reductions, Governor Youngkin, Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Miyares need to start taking responsibility for the economic fallout of their party’s policies. A simple job-posting website is wholly inadequate to address this crisis—the Governor must present a comprehensive plan that includes retraining programs, unemployment insurance extensions, and direct financial assistance for displaced workers. He needs to stand up for Virginians and leverage his close relationship with Trump to do something that actually benefits Virginians. Meanwhile, Attorney General Miyares remains conspicuously absent while attorneys general in other states have filed lawsuits and taken decisive legal action to protect their federal workforce from politically motivated terminations. Winsome Sears needs to stop cheerleading Virginia’s families’ economic dislocation. Virginians deserve better than empty promises and partisan games.
The ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate unemployment statistics. Federal contractors face uncertainty as contracts are canceled, and the downstream economic impact threatens to undermine the prosperity that has long defined Fairfax County. Our local businesses, from restaurants to retail establishments, are already feeling the effects as consumer spending declines among affected families.
We call on Governor Youngkin to immediately take action to focus on economic recovery for fired federal workers, including comprehensive retraining programs, expedited licensing for professional certifications, extended unemployment benefits, and direct coordination with private sector employers. A job-posting website alone will not solve this crisis—we need robust, funded programs that provide real pathways to employment. Attorney General Miyares must join his counterparts in other states who have courageously filed lawsuits and taken legal action to protect Virginia’s federal workforce from arbitrary and politically motivated terminations.
We stand united in our commitment to fight for a fair and equitable economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy elite. It is time to reject the failed leadership of Trump, Youngkin, Sears and Miyares and to put the needs of our communities first. Together, the General Assembly and our local governments must work to restore economic stability and ensure that every Virginian has the opportunity to thrive.
Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia deserve leadership that puts families first, not political ideology. We will continue to advocate for policies that support working families, create sustainable employment opportunities, and ensure that our region remains economically vibrant for generations to come.”
Graph via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. This story was updated with a statement from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office.
