National Association Of Social Workers Fight Back Against President Trump’s Harmful Federal Policies

In honor of Social Work Month, a time to celebrate the essential contributions of social workers, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is not only recognizing the achievements of social workers nationwide but also protesting the harmful policies enacted by President Donald Trump and his administration against federal workers, DEI and more.

In an open letter shared March 5, the NASW, which is the largest membership organization for professional social workers, sounded the alarm on the recent federal policies that hinder the advocacy work of social workers and undermine their ability to deliver effective care, especially when many of their clients are already grappling with the divisive impacts of these policies.

 

Social workers are under pressure due to Trump’s policies.

Many social workers working in federal agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have been in danger of being affected by massive layoffs, particularly with job cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk in collaboration with President Trump, which resulted in thousands of job losses at the start of February.

The layoffs not only strained federal agencies but also impacted vital programs that millions of Americans rely on. HHS, which administers essential programs like Medicaid and Medicare, and spearheads efforts to combat infectious diseases and advance medical research, has seen significant layoffs, including over 1,300 new hires, reducing the department’s efficiency in rendering lifesaving research and care for millions of Americans. 

Trump’s push to dismantle the Department of Education, tighten immigration policies, and roll back DEI initiatives will have a profound impact on essential services like financial aid, career advancement, and funding for under-resourced schools and immigrants seeking opportunity in the U.S. Vulnerable populations, especially the LGBTQ community and people of color, will be disproportionately affected, facing the harshest consequences of these damaging policies.

The devastating consequences of these cuts continue to ripple through the workforce and communities, jeopardizing the quality of care and support that social workers can offer, particularly too vulnerable populations. Dr. Anthony Estreet, CEO of NASW, said that the organization will work diligently alongside social workers across the nation to “turn empathy into advocacy, care into change and passion into progress.”

 

Here’s what NASW is doing to fight back.

In response, the NASW is pushing back, speaking out against Trump’s restrictions on threats to Medicaid and Medicare, including gender-affirming care. They are also resisting harmful immigration policies that threaten families and children, as well as the administration’s attempts to eliminate DEI initiatives. NASW is also guiding its members on how to manage the presence of ICE in schools and healthcare facilities.

In addition to advocating for vulnerable populations, NASW is also working to improve conditions within the social work field itself by fighting for higher reimbursement rates for clinical social workers under Medicare, supporting student loan forgiveness, and pushing for greater workplace safety for social workers.

“We ask for support in recognizing the importance of social workers, not only during Social Work Month but year-round,” said Dr. Estreet. “Together, we can make sure social workers have the resources they need to transform compassion into action and make a real difference in the lives of those we serve while maintaining a work-life balance that empowers their life-changing work.”

In January, prior to Trump taking office, the NASW Massachusetts chapter launched an online resource titled Coping with Election Stress: An NASW-MA Toolkit. According to a press release published on Jan. 30, the toolkit provided social workers with practical tips for navigating the emotional and professional challenges following the election. It covered topics such as discussing the election with clients, practicing self-care, supporting marginalized populations through uncertain times, understanding the link between mental health and reproductive rights, and exploring ways to engage in political action and advocacy.

Social workers frequently face burnout, heavy caseloads, exposure to clients’ trauma, and a lack of support. The toolkit was designed to help them address these challenges effectively. Lorrie R. Appleton, LCSW, a systems therapist in the D.C. Metro, expressed hope that the resource would strengthen the social work community, particularly as Trump’s political views had caused division among social workers and their clients, especially those who identify strongly with a political party.

“We have (social workers who are) Republicans, Independents. We assume everyone is like we are,” the social worker said. “We think we’re like-minded but we’re not.”

Rebekah Gewirtz, MPA, executive director of NASW’s Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapters, emphasized the importance of social workers not allowing their political views to interfere with providing care to clients who may hold opposing perspectives.

“People have written each other off because they don’t share the same views,” she added. “We need to come back to the place of meeting people where they are. That’s the way we’ll get through this. When we’re divided and when we’re hating each other, that’s when demagogues thrive.”

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