GOP spends Labor Day touting August jobs, Dems lift up union workers

From news to sports, we help you stay connected to the world around you. www.usatoday.com By Emily R. Condon , 15 minutes ago It's Labor Day, but as the midterms near, politicians take no days off, and their holiday messaging is falling along partisan lines. The White House and Republicans took the day to celebrate a recent win with the stronger-than-expected August jobs report, crediting President Donald Trump as a champion for American workers. Democrats took the day to message support for unions and organized labor, a group that has long supported the more-left party. Notably, in 2024, the union group International Brotherhood of Teamsters broke ranks with their decades of tradition endorsing Democrats and chose to not endorse Kamala Harris nor to back Trump. After a stronger-than-expected August jobs report on Friday, Sept. 4, just before Labor Day weekend, Republican messaging on the holiday fell in line with celebration. The White House kicked off the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5, posting, "This Labor Day, we celebrate that more Americans are working than EVER before," and then on Labor Day saying "President Trump will never stop fighting for MADE IN AMERICA." The Republican Party – which is also spending the day promoting its first-ever midterm convention this week in Dallas – posted a graphic saying that, 'MORE AMERICANS ARE WORKING THAN EVER BEFORE THANKS TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP' accompanied by the slang term 'Jobsmaxxing." The "–maxxing" suffix has been used online to explain doing something to the maximum. More: First-ever GOP midterm convention is this week. Here's how to watch The August jobs report estimated that 162,000 nonfarm jobs were added to the U.S. labor market, after U.S. employers added a now-revised 21,000 jobs in July. The unemployment rate remained at 4.1%, and labor force participation moved up 0.2 percentage points to 61.6%. The White House said after the report that so far during Trump's second term, 1 million private-sector jobs have been created. More: August jobs report delivers unexpectedly strong news for US economy Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters called Trump the "Jobs President" as he reposted a White House post, writing himself that, "More than 1 million jobs created during President Trumps second term!" Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said that the "American worker is WINNING again," adding that "thanks to Republicans, hardworking Americans have more opportunities and can keep more of their own hard-earned money." Johnson said Americans are experiencing bigger paychecks, no taxes on tips or overtime and a boom in U.S. manufacturing. The president himself did not post about the successful job numbers on Labor Day – though he did the day before – instead using the holiday to post a partisan attack, saying on Truth Social: " Happy Labor Day to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics, Communists, and Dumocrats who will do anything possible to destroy our Country. These Deranged People, after fighting for 10 years, should finally acknowledge that your Favorite President (ME!), knows how to WIN! They should be exhausted by now but, sadly, they're not." The president, who is speaking at the Republican midterm convention this week, continued: "They're going to give it one last shot at ruining America, but we're not going to let that happen. We're going to win the Midterms, BIG, and SAVE AMERICA!" While Republicans tout the labor report, Democrats are appealing to union workers – a voter base that is core to the party. Democrats have not completely lost that base, but there has been a trend of blue-collar workers moving away from the party, according to a survey by Center for Labor and a Just Economy in collaboration with the Columbia Labor Lab. The Democratic Party took to social media Monday morning with post including a graphic that reads "Unions Built the Middle Class," writing that, "Thanks to our labor unions, America's workers have stronger benefits, fairer wages, and safer working conditions." The messaging that celebrated unions was similar from Democratic leaders across the country, including from both the established faction and more left-leaning progressives, who have been at odds this midterm primary season. Here's what some of them had to say: Former President Joe Biden: "I've said it my entire career: the middle class built America. And unions built the middle class. To every worker who's ever punched a clock, worked a double, or walked a line for fair wages – and to everyone who stands up for them, at the bargaining table, in the statehouse, or on the shop floor: thank you. This country runs in large part because of you." "I've said it my entire career: the middle class built America. And unions built the middle class. To every worker who's ever punched a clock, worked a double, or walked a line for fair wages – and to everyone who stands up for them, at the bargaining table, in the statehouse, or on the shop floor: thank you. This country runs in large part because of you." New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Democratic minority leader: "Happy Labor Day! Workers and unions are the backbone of our economy, and we owe them our gratitude today and every day." "Happy Labor Day! Workers and unions are the backbone of our economy, and we owe them our gratitude today and every day." Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who has signaled a likely 2028 presidential run : "The 40-hour work week. The weekend itself. Lifesaving safety standards. Organized labor has changed our country for the better. This Labor Day, we recognize the achievements of our unions and the workers who make the American way of life possible." : "The 40-hour work week. The weekend itself. Lifesaving safety standards. Organized labor has changed our country for the better. This Labor Day, we recognize the achievements of our unions and the workers who make the American way of life possible." California Gov. Gavin Newsom : "Labor Day is a reminder of a simple truth: WORKERS built this country. But today, too many Americans are working harder, paying more and falling further behind — while Donald Trump gets richer and hands more wealth to the people at the very top. Working people built America. This November, it's time to take our country back." : "Labor Day is a reminder of a simple truth: WORKERS built this country. But today, too many Americans are working harder, paying more and falling further behind — while Donald Trump gets richer and hands more wealth to the people at the very top. Working people built America. This November, it's time to take our country back." Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego : "We need to be for a pro-labor, pro-worker agenda. That starts with: Increasing the federal minimum wage from a poverty wage to $20/hr. Doubling the pay for overtime. Requiring overtime pay on federal holidays. Protecting workers' right to bargain for better pay, benefits, and safer workplaces." : "We need to be for a pro-labor, pro-worker agenda. That starts with: Increasing the federal minimum wage from a poverty wage to $20/hr. Doubling the pay for overtime. Requiring overtime pay on federal holidays. Protecting workers' right to bargain for better pay, benefits, and safer workplaces." Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan: "The labor movement gave us weekends, 8 hour work days, and ensured that our kids can go to school rather than work. Honored to fight for unions every day. Happy Labor Day to all those who have fought for a fairer economy in the richest country in the world." Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed marches with members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union during a Labor Day Parade in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 7, 2026. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook By Rebecca Cook, REUTERS Democratic socialist leader and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an independent – not a member of the Democratic Party – but shared a similar celebration of union workers, posting: "On this Labor Day we give our thanks to the millions of trade unionists in our country who are leading the fight for economic, social and racial justice. Thanks to all of you for what you're doing. Let's go forward together." Contributing: Rachel Barber This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP spends Labor Day touting August jobs, Dems lift up union workers partner publisher · 2.0M followers Although no one is officially running for the 2028 presidential election just yet , some names in both the Democratic and Republican Party are starting to rise to the top of their respective primaries. A new poll released by Harvard CAPS/HarrisX on Sept. 2, shows a potential showoff of vice presidents in 2028, with former Vice President Kamala Harris and current Vice President JD Vance leading their respective primaries. Among Democrats, Harris has a comfortable lead with 42% support, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 18%, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tied with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both at 9%. Among Republicans, Vance holds a similarly comfortable advantage with 44% support; Secretary of State Marco Rubio follows with 21%, while President Donald Trump 's son, Donald Trump Jr. , gathers 18% support. The poll surveyed 2,100 registered voters from Aug. 28-30, with a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points, according to Harvard CAPS/HarrisX . Buzz around potential candidates grows Wednesday's poll came only a day before Vance was asked during a White House media briefing whether he could see himself supporting Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas , or Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth for president in 2028. 'Clearly Ted is partner publisher · 2.0M followers Adam Levy has received plenty of blunt advice over the years from his mother, famed TV jurist Judy Sheindlin – known around the world as no-nonsense Judge Judy. So when Levy got the call to take the family seat on the TV bench for his own syndicated court show, "Adam's Law," (premiering Sept. 14, check local listings ), the former prosecutor received on-brand counsel from Mom, the show's creator and executive producer. "She told me, 'Don't screw this up,'" Levy, 58, tells USA TODAY. It was the same sage advice Sheindlin , 83, gave her son − whom she shares with ex-husband Ronald Levy − before his first TV judge gig on Prime Video's "Tribunal Justice," on which he served alongside fellow judges, Tanya Acker and Patricia Di Mango . But the stakes are even higher in "Adam's Law," with Levy sitting in TV judgment solo, just as his mother did in her superstar-making role in the syndicated courtroom classic, "Judge Judy," which ran from 1996 to 2021. "She liked the idea of retiring after 30 years and passing the gavel onto me," Levy says. "If there's one thing people need to know about Judy, she doesn't blow smoke up partner publisher · 2.0M followers President Donald Trump has updated his ranking of U.S. presidents in a Sunday, Sept. 6, post on Truth Social. The initial ranking appeared on Trump's Truth Social account on Aug. 27 and linked Trump as "The Greatest," with Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson on the next tier down, labeled "Great." The newest ranking, posted on Sept. 6, included several former presidents who were absent from the first list, including Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush, among others. Reagan, long known for being a conservative icon, was put in the "Near Great" tier. In the first ranking, the very last tier (labeled "Failures" by Trump) included former presidents Joe Biden , Barack Obama, Ulysses S. Grant, Warren Harding and Jimmy Carter. The new ranking has been updated to include George W. Bush and Herbert Hoover in the bottom tier. Hoover was previously in the "Average" tier. Compare the two rankings Below are the two graphics posted by President Trump with his rankings. .oembed-frame { width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0; border: 0; } .oembed-frame { width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0; border: 0; } The new ranking includes former partner publisher · 2.0M followers Every time you send a paper check in the mail, consumer advocates say, you're putting your bank account at risk. Check fraud is rising, even as the number of checks in circulation is declining. In 2025, federal data shows , Americans lost more money to check fraud than to debit card or gift card scams. Consumers are writing fewer checks these days, but the amounts are larger, and thieves know it. 'Criminals know that when they see a check in the mail, it's less likely to be a $10 check and more likely to be a $10,000 check,' said Scott Anchin , senior vice president of strategic initiatives and policy at the Independent Community Bankers of America. Paper checks used to be everywhere. By 2024, however, they represented just 3% of all payments in the United States, according to the Federal Reserve . Consumers used to write checks to pay bills, buy groceries and re-up at the gym. Today, people often write checks for larger one-time transactions, such as paying a contractor or a tax bill. Larger checks mean higher stakes for fraud Larger checks mean higher stakes for thieves. Check fraud has been around for ages, but modern tech partner publisher · 2.0M followers The heartbreaking trial of Lindsay Clancy , which sparked debates about women's health and the judicial system, has ended in a mistrial , starting what will likely be a running conversation about what happens next. Before that, it's worth taking a look at how we got here. Clancy, a mother of three, strangled her three children while dealing with postpartum depression. She pleaded not guilty as her defense claimed that a postpartum psychosis event meant she was not criminally responsible . The entire story is heartbreaking, but unfortunately, not everyone seems to be sad for the right reasons. Social media has been flooded with posts from supporters of Clancy's, who either claim she needed help , that this is somehow her now ex-husband's fault or merely the crowds of supporters cheering for her as she arrives at the courthouse. This type of rhetoric wasn't unforeseeable. America has been succumbing to a culture devaluing life for quite some time, and the fact that the lives lost in this tragedy often amount to a footnote in discussions is just more evidence of that fact. Another view: Clancy mistrial distracts from moms who actually deserve empathy | Opinion Lindsay Clancy's supporters diminish the partner publisher · 2.0M followers On Labor Day, the nation celebrates the worker. And in Detroit, that celebration is especially local. The skyline, its neighborhoods and its roads were shaped by the automotive industry. So, too, were generations of families who depended on factory paychecks, union benefits and the promise that a job on an assembly line could provide a stable middle-class life. At the center of that story, back then and today, is the United Auto Workers. Founded in 1935, the UAW grew out of the brutal conditions of Depression-era factories — automotive or otherwise — which led to a broad wave of industrial unionization. And in Michigan, where auto companies held enormous power, the UAW quickly made an impact on the way labor strikes and organizing would be conducted. The union's breakthrough came in Flint, where workers occupied General Motors' plants during the 1936-37 sit-down strike. For 44 days, the union members stayed inside the factories, stopping production. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the occupation began at Fisher Body Plant No. 1 on Dec. 30, 1936, and spread to other key GM facilities, including Chevrolet Plant No. 4, which produced engines. Then-Michigan Governor Frank Murphy called out the National Guard, but partner publisher · 2.0M followers A federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee the right to clean drinking water in a Sept. 4 decision rejecting Jackson, Mississippi, residents' lawsuit over the city's lead-contaminated water system . The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling dismissing residents' 2022 lawsuit. The plaintiffs, Priscilla Sterling, Raine Becker, Shawn Miller and John Bennett, alleged that the city knowingly allowed residents to drink unsafe water. They argued that the water contamination violated their constitutional right to bodily integrity under the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. In the majority decision, Judge Kurt Engelhardt wrote that while the deprivation of clean water was 'grievous,' it did 'not infringe upon any deeply rooted constitutional right.' 'We are skeptical that the right to not be harmed by lead-contaminated water fits within the right to bodily integrity, and Plaintiffs point us to no historical tradition or Supreme Court precedent convincing us,' he wrote. He also said there was no constitutional right to 'truthful information from officials during a public health crisis.' A right to clean water? The lawsuit against the City of Jackson stemmed from testing conducted by the Mississippi State Health Department between 2010 and 2013 showing partner publisher · 2.0M followers When summer heat scorches the country, many families seek refuge at pools, lakes and beaches, especially over the holiday weekend . But the water can pose a substantial threat to the youngest and most vulnerable members of the family. After decades of decline, the rate of drowning deaths among children has risen significantly in recent years, doctors recently warned. A lack of proper adult supervision is among the biggest risk factors . But when a child slips away and drowns, authorities are left with a heart-wrenching question: was it an accident or a crime? And what could have been done to prevent a tragedy? Child drownings are on the rise Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for American children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old and the second most common killer of kids ages 5 through 14, according to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics published in June. The rate of these deaths was on the decline for decades, but drownings started to increase after 2019. A lack of supervision near bodies of water can be dangerous and deadly for toddlers in particular, said Dr. Rohit Shenoi, the lead author of the American