While D.C. lost more jobs in sheer numbers, MoCo’s economy feels it harder because federal jobs make up a much bigger slice of its workforce. And here’s the kicker: these aren’t just any jobs. They’re high-paying, stable positions that ripple through local businesses; from coffee shops to car dealerships. The Trump-era cuts didn’t just trim budgets; they sliced into MoCo’s economic DNA. Leaders are right to sound the alarm. But the real question? What’s next. Can local industries fill this void? Or is MoCo facing a slower, deeper economic recalibration? One thing’s clear: losing 5,000+ federal jobs doesn’t just change paychecks; it changes neighborhoods.