WASHINGTON DC — The United States is heading into the November midterm elections with unemployment near historically low levels, but a weakening pace of hiring, persistent inflation and declining confidence in the economy are complicating the picture for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

The unemployment rate stood at 4.2% in September, a level generally associated with a labor market close to full employment. But the latest employment figures show an economy that is no longer generating jobs at the pace seen during the post-pandemic recovery, with employers becoming more cautious about hiring and workers losing some of the bargaining power they previously enjoyed.

Employers added just 29,000 jobs in September, well below the 90,000 increase economists surveyed by Reuters had expected. Payroll growth for August was also revised downward. Despite the weak hiring figures, there has been little evidence of a broad increase in layoffs, with unemployment claims remaining near historically low levels.

The labor market’s changing dynamics are creating a more complicated economic environment ahead of the November 3 elections. While Americans who have jobs continue to support consumer spending, fewer workers are finding the rapidly rising wages and abundant employment opportunities that characterized the years immediately following the pandemic.

Inflation has further weakened the benefits of wage growth. Real disposable income growth has remained below 2%, meaning that after accounting for rising prices, many households have seen only modest increases in the amount of money available for spending and saving.

The labor supply is also facing structural pressures. An aging population and lower birth rates are limiting the growth of the workforce, while tighter immigration policies have further affected the number of workers available to employers. The labor force remains below the record level reached in late 2025, according to the Reuters analysis.

Manufacturing employment presents another challenge for the administration. Trump campaigned on expanding American manufacturing through tariffs and deregulation, but manufacturing employment has so far shown limited improvement. The sector employed about 12.6 million people, roughly 21,000 fewer than when Trump took office in January 2025, according to Reuters.

The broader economy is also facing renewed inflationary pressure. The U.S. services sector expanded in September, but activity slowed slightly and the prices paid by businesses for inputs rose to their highest level in more than four years, according to an Institute for Supply Management survey reported Monday. Higher fuel and commodity costs, along with supply-chain disruptions, are adding to concerns about inflation.

The Federal Reserve is closely watching the conflicting signals. A weaker September jobs report has reduced expectations of another interest-rate increase at the central bank’s October meeting, although persistent inflation could keep another increase on the table later in the year.

For the White House, the economic record presents both strengths and vulnerabilities. The low unemployment rate provides evidence of continued labor-market resilience, but slower hiring and elevated living costs are shaping how households experience the economy.

With voters preparing to choose members of Congress in November, the distinction between a technically strong labor market and the day-to-day economic experience of households could become increasingly important. The economy continues to expand and layoffs remain limited, but the post-pandemic period of rapid hiring and strong wage gains has clearly lost momentum.

The result is an economy entering the midterm campaign with low unemployment but fewer signs of the extraordinary labor-market strength that defined the earlier recovery. For voters and policymakers alike, the central question is increasingly whether the current stability can be maintained while inflation, energy costs and slower job creation continue to put pressure on American households.

NEW YORK — U.S. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks has called for collective efforts to help restore normalcy in Bangladesh, strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and protect press freedom. Meeks, the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the remarks during an exchange meeting with members of the Bangladeshi-American community in New York on September 28.

Speaking about Bangladesh’s political situation, Meeks said he expects Democrats to regain majorities in both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. He said that if he again becomes chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he intends to visit Bangladesh, observe the situation firsthand and work through Congress to provide appropriate direction to the U.S. administration.

Meeks also referred to a December 23, 2025 letter that he and four other members of Congress sent to Bangladesh’s then-Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The letter urged the interim government to work with political parties across the political spectrum to create conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections and to restore confidence in the neutrality of state institutions.

The lawmakers also expressed concern that suspending the activities of a political party or restarting what they described as a flawed International Crimes Tribunal would undermine those objectives. Meeks said Bangladesh needs stronger democratic institutions, effective rule of law and safeguards for media freedom.

Turning to the United States, the congressman also expressed concern about what he described as growing pressure on media outlets and dissenting voices. Referring to disputes involving CNN, Politico and MS NOW and their access to the White House and Air Force One, he said measures affecting the media and people expressing dissent were inconsistent with American democratic values.

Meeks said he wanted to see Bangladesh return to a stable political environment. He also pledged that, if he again serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he would visit Bangladesh and engage with relevant authorities regarding the country’s situation.

Bangladesh Situation Discussed

The exchange meeting was organized with the assistance of Sector Commanders Forum-Muktijuddho ’71 and the Bangabandhu Foundation. Bangabandhu Foundation President Abdul Kader Mia chaired the event, while Queens Democratic Party District Leader Dr. Dilip Nath moderated it.

Former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister and former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations A.K. Abdul Momen and former National Press Club President Farida Yasmin spoke about Bangladesh’s political and social situation. They alleged that opposition voices and political activists had faced arrests, violence and legal cases following the July-August 2024 protests and the formation of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

They also alleged that members and supporters of the Awami League had been subjected to violence and that religious minorities had faced attacks. The speakers further criticized the suspension of Awami League activities, alleged mistreatment of freedom fighters and legal action against journalists whose reporting they said was not favored by the government.

The speakers called for the lifting of restrictions on the Awami League and urged the U.S. Congress to support what they described as the need for an early election. They also sought congressional intervention for the release of journalists and other political detainees facing what they characterized as politically motivated murder cases.

Bangladeshi-American Community Leaders Attend

At the beginning of the event, Abdul Kader Mia welcomed Congressman Meeks by presenting him with a traditional uttariya amid applause from attendees. Also present on the stage were Bangabandhu Foundation Senior Vice President Engineer Md. Fazlul Haque, Bangladesh Muslim Center of Brooklyn President Alhaj Abul Hashem, community organizer Enamul Haque Shamim, Aminul Islam Amin and Nazrul Islam Babu. The United States Bangabandhu Parishad, Sandwip Pourashava Welfare Association and Haque Medical Office served as co-hosts of the event.

Among the attendees were writer, columnist and editor Naim Nizam; World Bangla 24 TV CEO Alim Khan Akash; journalist Sultana Rahman; freedom fighter and journalist Lablu Ansar; journalist Sazzad Hossain Sobuj; Jago Prohori Editorial Board President Dr. Mahabbur Rahman Tuku; Sheikh Kamal Smriti Parishad President and freedom fighter Dr. Masudul Hasan; Sandwip Association Convener Sirajul Mawla; former Sandwip Association President Nazrul Islam Babul; Sandwip Pourashava Welfare Association President Md. Zafarullah; Sandwip Education and Cultural Society President Mosharraf Hossain, Secretary Abdul Hamid and Treasurer Ahsan Ullah Saki.

Others included community leader Mobasher Hossain, freedom fighter Kadir Mia, freedom fighter and businessman Saraf Sarkar, social organizer Sakhawat Ali, businessman and community organizer Ifzal Chowdhury, Chattogram Association General Secretary Ariful Islam Arif, Bauria Janakalyan Association Adviser Abul Kashem, Ekattor Genocide Foundation founder and freedom fighter Dr. Pradip Kar, community leader Abdul Jalil, Afsar Mohammad, Abu Taher M. Rahman, Yasin Arafat Bappi, politician Baker Bhuiyan, Democrat Morshed Alam, Engineer Mohammad Ali Siddiqui and Imdad Chowdhury, among others.

The guests were introduced by Bangabandhu Foundation Secretary Kamal Hossain Mithu. Dipa Nath, president of NAVA, and Linda Ramparteb coordinated fundraising activities for the congressman.

Call for Unity

In his closing remarks, Abdul Kader Mia thanked the attendees and called for unity to help Bangladesh overcome what he described as misrule. He urged the community to learn from past mistakes and move forward with the goal of completing what he described as the unfinished work of building “Sonar Bangla,” referring to the political vision associated with the country’s founding leadership.

Akbar Haider Kiron, New York: The Bangladesh Society, Inc., one of the largest community organizations representing Bangladeshi Americans in the United States, has rejected recent allegations concerning its financial management, spending and alleged misuse of funds, saying its financial position has significantly improved over the past 20 months. At a press conference on September 28, 2026, the organization’s General Secretary Mohammad Ali presented a written statement addressing the allegations and outlining the society’s current financial position.

Bangladesh Society President Ataur Rahman Selim, Board of Trustees Chairman Shah Newaz, and other leaders and executive committee members were present at the press conference. Following the written statement, Shah Newaz, Ataur Rahman Selim and Mohammad Ali responded to questions from journalists.

Society disputes $725,000 spending allegation

Responding to allegations that the current executive committee had spent or wasted approximately $725,000 over the past 20 months, society leaders rejected the claim as inaccurate. According to figures presented at the press conference, total spending during the period amounted to $521,865, covering regular operating expenses and various programs and activities.

The leaders said the expenditures are supported by relevant documentation, vouchers and bank statements. They also said the organization currently has approximately $919,000 in its bank accounts, arguing that the figure demonstrates a substantial increase in the society’s financial reserves.

According to the organization, the net financial position stood at approximately $116,000 when the current executive committee assumed responsibility.

$200,000 Bangladesh Center deposit returned

The leadership also addressed questions surrounding the proposed purchase of a Bangladesh Center in Jamaica, Queens. According to the society, it had entered into an initial agreement and placed a $200,000 deposit as part of the proposed transaction.

The organization said legal complications involving the property subsequently emerged and the seller failed to meet certain conditions outlined in the agreement. The deal was therefore canceled, the leaders said, adding that the entire $200,000 deposit was returned to the society.

Building violations reduced from $82,000 to $31,000

The society also provided an explanation regarding outstanding building violations and fines inherited from the previous administration. Leaders said the organization had inherited approximately $82,000 in violation-related penalties. A professional firm was subsequently hired to address the matter, resulting in the amount being reduced to approximately $31,000, according to the society. They said legal efforts are continuing to seek a further reduction or waiver of the remaining amount.

$89,000 spent on eight Iftar events

The organization also addressed questions regarding the cost of its Iftar programs. According to the figures presented at the press conference, the society organized eight Iftar events in four locations over the past two years, with total expenses of approximately $89,000.

However, society leaders said approximately $42,770 of that amount came from sponsors and donations from supporters. Based on those figures, they said the society’s own funds accounted for an average of approximately $5,803.75 per Iftar event.

Officials’ checks described as reimbursements

Questions were also raised about checks issued in the names of society officials. The organization’s leaders said such payments were reimbursements for expenses initially paid out of the officials’ own pockets for urgent organizational purchases or other necessary expenses. They said reimbursement checks were issued only against valid vouchers and supporting documentation.

Membership rises from 18,000 to more than 35,000

The society also highlighted an increase in its registered membership. According to its leadership, the organization had approximately 18,000 registered members when the current executive committee assumed office. The number has since increased to more than 35,000, they said.

Leaders urge verification of information

At the conclusion of the press conference, Bangladesh Society leaders urged journalists and community members to verify information before circulating allegations or claims concerning the organization. They said unverified information could create confusion and division within the Bangladeshi-American community.

The leadership also expressed its intention to strengthen the Bangladesh Society as a unified community platform and to build a more transparent, effective and sustainable organization for future generations.