Report I · Released March 2, 2026

BLET

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen · 50,000+ members

America's oldest union is using member dues to fund the Democrats fighting Trump.

The Bottom Line

98.97% of BLET's party-committee donations went to Democrats during the Trump era.

A railroad engineer walks alongside a freight locomotive at dusk on rural tracks

Political Spending

The Money

BLET poured $26.9 million in member dues into political activity since Trump first took office — almost entirely to the left.

$26,893,420

Total political spending 2017–2024

DOL LM-2 filings

Party Committee Spending

Democrats

98.97%

Republicans

1.03%

Federal candidate donations broke 86.42% Democratic over the same period.

Funded

Equality State Policy Center — sued Wyoming to block proof-of-citizenship voting law (HB 156)

2024 cycle

24 donations to Democratic committees ($53,400) vs. 2 to Republicans ($2,000)

Endorsements & Attacks

Anti-MAGA Advocacy

BLET leadership endorsed Harris-Walz, praised Bernie Sanders, and spent the 2024 cycle running 14 anti-Trump posts from their official accounts.

A pair of worn work boots with an American flag pin — The rank-and-file vote Trump. Leadership endorses the opposition.

2024 Presidential endorsement

Kamala Harris / Tim Walz

“Has a record of delivering on promises made to railroaders.”

— BLET official statement, Oct 22, 2024

Invited to BLET Eastern Regional Meeting

Bernie Sanders — self-described Democratic Socialist

Endorsed

Rick Larsen (campaigned on 'fighting back against Trump'), Sherrod Brown, Bo Mitchell (called ICE 'chaotic, cruel and inhumane')

Election-eve tweets

14 posts attacking Trump-era rail policy in the run-up to Nov 2024

Opposed

Trump's Executive Order 14251 on TSA merit-based hiring; backed AFGE lawsuit

Spending on Casinos, Resorts & Swag

The Waste

While leadership claims to fight for working conditions, BLET's books read like a vacation itinerary.

An empty casino floor at night with banks of glowing slot machines — BLET spent over $2 million in member dues at casinos and resorts between 2017 and 2024.

$2,083,478

Spent at casinos & resorts (2017–2024)

$1,765,797

Spent on swag, jewelry & gifts

$5,180,820

Spent on hotels & conferences

$1,753,055

Spent on travel

Caesars Entertainment 2018

$759,350 — single year, single vendor

Caesars Entertainment 2022

$736,328

Leadership Salaries vs. The Members

Self-Enrichment

The median BLET railroader makes $75,680. Their president makes more than four times that.

An opulent hotel lobby with chandeliers and marble floors at night — The world the bosses fly to. The world their dues built.

The Salary Gap

Edward A. Hall — President

$308,519

Median BLET railroader

$75,680

BLET's president earns more than 4× the median railroader he represents.

$307,004

Vice President James A. Holdcraft salary

2024 LM-2

27%

HQ staff earning >$200,000 (13 of 62)

55%

HQ staff earning >$100,000

Member dues

Up to $159/month — paid by working engineers

The Pattern

BLET is one of seven.

BLET is not an outlier. Across seven major American industrial unions, the same pattern repeats: rank-and-file members who voted for Trump, led by executives who fund his opposition.