'I'm seeing work dry up' Americans feel effect of president's policy storm

Americans are grappling with rising costs, falling sales and dwindling work as Donald Trump pushes forward with an array of controversial policies.

- Michael Sainato

The Guardian asked US workers how they have been affected. Some requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.

Knock-on effects from Trump's attempt to rapidly shrink the federal government by firing workers, slashing funding and cancelling grants are already reaching the private sector, with workers reporting layoffs, price rises and supply issues.

Consumer confidence in the US dropped in March to its lowest level in four years. At least 60,000 federal civil servants have been fired in recent months, in addition to about 25,000 probationary employees who have been ordered by courts to be reinstated.

The federal layoffs have also hurt contractors and businesses that rely on the custom of federal workers or agencies.