The number of publicly announced layoffs in the U.S. jumped in February to the highest level since the pandemic 4 1/2 years ago — but not because the jobs market is suddenly in a free fall. It isn’t.

The federal government was responsible for the largest share of cuts, at more than 62,000.

Layoffs announced by U.S.-employers jumped to levels not seen since the last two recessions amid mass federal government job cuts, canceled contracts and fears of trade wars, offering the clearest sign yet of the toll taken on the labor market by the policies of President Donald Trump's administration.