Where D.C. unemployment stands after Trump's first year
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D.C.'s unemployment rate hit 6.7% in December, following job losses in the hospitality industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Why it matters: D.C.'s economy took a beating after the DOGE cuts, and residents' subsequent cutbacks in dining out and shopping have since collided with inflation to hurt restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
By the numbers: D.C.'s jobless rate has been rising since May, and worsened over the summer after federal cuts intensified.
- The Leisure and Hospitality sector lost 1,600 jobs in December, according to the D.C. Department of Employment Services. Employment in those fields is down 1.28 percent from a year earlier.
- The Educational and Health Services sector also dropped jobs — 500 of them.
- December's unemployment rate is a 0.2 percentage point increase from the revised November rate of 6.5%.
The big picture: President Trump's return to the White House is inflicting pain on the District's economy, but past recessions offer useful context.
- Our unemployment peaked during the pandemic — the rate hit 11.3% in 2020.
- During the Great Recession, unemployment exceeded 10%.
Flashback: Restaurants and hotels also suffered in the wake of Trump's crime crackdown last summer.
- City sales tax collections data show a 6% drop in September for restaurants. Hotels dropped 14%.
- D.C. officials argued the National Guard presence kept tourists away.