NABTU President Criticizes Trump's Stop-Work Order on Revolution Wind

Revolution Wind Project Halt Sparks Controversy

Washington, D.C. – August 25, 2025 – In a striking development, the Department of the Interior's decision to issue a stop-work order for the Revolution Wind project has drawn sharp criticism from labor leaders. Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), has voiced a vehement response.

McGarvey stated, “Let’s call the Department of the Interior’s stop-work order for Revolution Wind what it is: President Donald Trump just fired 1,000 of our members who had already labored to complete 80% of this major energy project." The halt, described by McGarvey as a bureaucratic "fancy term," effectively meant that skilled American workers, many of whom have spent a decade honing their skills, were abruptly left without jobs.

The project, which had already seen $1.3 billion in investments, faced an abrupt termination with President Trump's order. McGarvey emphasized the real-world impact: “He pulled the plug on an almost-finished project, taking jobs, paychecks, and food off the tables of working families in Connecticut and Rhode Island.”

Amidst promises of energy dominance, this move seems contradictory. McGarvey criticized the administration's inconsistency, stating, “This is not dominance; this is decline. Energy dominance doesn't mean taking away jobs.” He highlighted the broader impact, arguing that such actions create uncertainty, affecting projects and industries nationwide. The repercussions, he warned, could be felt across the construction sector, as Congress remains inactive in addressing these issues.

McGarvey further outlined the chilling effect on the industry: "In the first six months of this Administration, they have killed tens of thousands of jobs." He warned of the potential for further disruptions in various sectors and urged stakeholders to be cautious.

The call to action was clear as McGarvey demanded that President Trump and Congress "reverse this reckless stop-work order and other looming project cancellations immediately and get America’s construction workers back to work." He urged an end to project cancellations and the preservation of good-paying American jobs.

Media Contact: Betsy Barrett, (202) 997-3266 | bbarrett@nabtu.org

About NABTU: North America’s Building Trades Unions is a coalition representing over 3 million skilled craft professionals. The organization invests nearly $2 billion annually in training and education, fostering economic security and providing pathways to the middle class for diverse populations. More information can be found at nabtu.org.