How Trump's policies impact Pierce County services

This collection of articles explores the effects of President Donald Trump's policies in Pierce County. The articles focus on education, immigration, health, and environmental projects, showing how federal changes impact local services and communities.

The articles look at how funding cuts could impact AmeriCorps, veterans' services, Head Start and local school districts. They also examine how federal immigration policies are affecting Pierce County residents.

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Early Head Start students interact with teachers and staff in a classroom at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. From left, Adrian, 2, sits with Early Learning Director Amalia Perez, as Sebastian, 2, rides a scooter, and teacher Morgan A. works with Addilyn, 2, on a puzzle. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 1: ‘THEY NEED US.’ WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF HEAD START CUTS IN PIERCE COUNTY?

There are currently no planned funding changes, but providers and lawmakers are worried. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

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In this photo taken on May 13, 2025, a sign designates the entrance to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at American Lake in Lakewood, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 2: PIERCE COUNTY HAS STATE’S MOST VETS ON DISABILITY. WOULD VA CUTS DELAY BENEFITS?

The VA has touted positive reforms under Trump, but Democrats are worried. | Published May 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

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The Howard Hanson Dam in the Green River watershed was built primarily for flood control. It also provides water for Tacoma and other municipalities. By Craig Sailor

NO. 3: TRUMP CUTS TO WESTERN WA DAM PROJECT LIKELY TO AFFECT HOUSING, WATER SUPPLY

Tacoma Water and Covington Water District point to long-term effects that not only affect salmon habitat but also the region’s growth. | Published May 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

A screenshot of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s main website on Monday morning showed note at top stating, “CDC’s website is being modified to comply with President Trump’s Executive Orders.”

NO. 4: WASHINGTON STATE MEDICAL GROUPS SUE OVER DELETED HEALTH, SCIENCE DATA FROM WEBSITES

The actions came following Jan. 20 executive orders that affected numerous public health data websites, the groups contend. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Lewelyn Dixon greets her family after being released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma on Thursday, May 29, 2025, where Dixon has been detained for months. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 5: ‘AUNTY LYNN IS COMING HOME.’ PIERCE COUNTY WOMAN DETAINED BY ICE TO BE RELEASED

Lewelyn Dixon said her time detained in the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma had been “hell.” | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

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Carlyn Sampson, the executive director of the Rebuilding Hope sexual assault center in Tacoma, speaks out about changes to the national Teen Mental Health First Aid guidance on June 6, 2025. By Becca Most

NO. 6: TRUMP’S ANTI-DEI PUSH ‘POLITICIZES’ PIERCE COUNTY TEEN MENTAL HEALTH GUIDANCE

The curricula changes could undermine the program’s success at a time when rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and violence are rising among youth. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

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Rhonda Borba, former AmeriCorps Program Assistant for Tacoma Boat Builders, who now strictly volunteers at the non-profit, poses for a portrait, on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: WILL TRUMP’S AMERICORPS CUTS STICK? FEDERAL JUDGE RULES THEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL

What does this mean for AmeriCorps programs in Washington and Pierce County? | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Tuan Phan is shown June 5, 2000 in Pierce County Superior Court during a hearing over a fatal shooting in Tacoma he later pleaded guilty to. In May 2025, Phan was one of eight men put on a deportation flight bound for South Sudan before a federal judge intervened. By LUI KIT WONG

NO. 8: TACOMA MAN HELD IN EAST AFRICA PART OF LATEST TRUMP FIGHT OVER DEPORTATIONS

The 43-year-old Tacoma man, who was convicted of murder in 2001, is one of eight men housed in a converted shipping container in Djibouti. | Published June 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

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People gather in hallways and the entryway of the Tacoma Public Schools Central Administration Building to watch a board of directors meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. The auditorium where the meeting was held and an overflow room were both filled with people during the meeting. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 9: PIERCE COUNTY SCHOOLS STAND TO LOSE BIG MONEY UNDER TRUMP’S PROPOSED BUDGET

Tacoma Public Schools is forecast to lose $2.6 million each year, the most of any district in the county. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

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NO. 10: ‘WELL-FOUNDED FEAR.’ RUMORS OF ICE ARRESTS PUT PARTS OF TACOMA ON EDGE

Local leaders said immigrants in the area are particularly anxious in light of President Donald Trump’s recent crackdown on immigration enforcement. | Published June 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi Peter Talbot

Pierce County Council member Ryan Mello listens to Senior legislative assistant Mike Kruger regarding ordinance no. 2023-24 during a Pierce County Council meeting, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 11: PIERCE COUNTY CONSIDERS USING $25M IN SAVINGS TO BACK FILL FEDERAL SPENDING CUTS

Executive says Pierce County needs to pay contractors who have already completed work. | Published July 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

People exit the Tacoma Public Schools Central Administration Building a board of directors meeting passes the two-hour mark on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 12: TACOMA YOUTH PROGRAMS STAND TO LOSE MILLIONS AS TRUMP WITHHOLDS ED DOLLARS

Tacoma Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs among local recipients of federal grants at risk | Published July 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

Lutheran Community Services Northwest, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. LCSN, which assists refugees, recently was one of several plaintiffs that filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over its suspension of the U.S. refugee-resettlement program. By Brian Hayes

NO. 13: TACOMA NONPROFIT FIGHTING FOR REFUGEES NOW TAKING AIM AT TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN

The travel ban is being applied to refugees, including those protected under a federal court’s preliminary injunction, according to court records and attorneys. | Published July 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.