Community colleges are reporting fresh operational and strategic pressures tied to recent federal policy shifts, with leaders warning that dismantling Education Department functions and shifting programs to other agencies could disrupt workforce training pipelines. The sector’s reliance on federal grants, partnerships with local employers and flexible program delivery makes it especially vulnerable to administrative upheaval and funding uncertainty. Case studies from community college leaders highlighted lost capacity to run certificate programs, delays in apprenticeship funding, and uncertainty about accountability metrics as functions move between agencies. Those shifts come at a time when community colleges are being asked to scale up to meet labor‑market needs for trades, health care and tech, yet face enrollment and workforce constraints. Observers said colleges must double down on state and employer partnerships, protect dual‑enrollment pipelines, and bolster rapid credentialing models to buffer students and regional employers from federal transition risks.