Trump Picks New Labor Statistics Head After Firing McEntarfer for Publishing Weak Jobs Data
In a surprising move, US President Donald Trump has nominated EJ Antoni as the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This comes just 10 days after Trump fired BLS’s previous leader, Erika McEntarfer, for allegedly manipulating jobs data after the agency reported weaker-than-expected jobs growth in July. Antoni currently works as the Chief Economist at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation.
The nomination of Antoni to lead the BLS has raised eyebrows in the economic community, as many are concerned about the potential impact on the agency’s independence and objectivity. The BLS is responsible for collecting and analyzing data on employment, inflation, and other economic indicators, which are used to inform policy decisions and shape the global economy.
McEntarfer’s departure from the BLS was sudden and unexpected. She was fired after the agency reported that the US economy added only 160,000 jobs in July, significantly fewer than the 1.7 million jobs economists had predicted. Trump was quick to condemn the report, calling it “fake news” and accusing McEntarfer of manipulating the data to make the economy look weaker than it actually was.
The controversy surrounding McEntarfer’s departure has raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the BLS’s work. The agency is supposed to be an independent and non-partisan organization, but Trump’s actions have left many wondering if this is still the case.
Aantoni, on the other hand, is a well-known conservative economist who has been critical of government intervention in the economy. He has written extensively on topics such as tax reform, regulatory policy, and monetary policy, and has been a vocal advocate for free market principles.
As Chief Economist at the Heritage Foundation, Antoni has been a key player in shaping the think tank’s economic policy agenda. He has also written op-eds and blog posts for various publications, including the Wall Street Journal and Forbes.
Despite his conservative credentials, Antoni has been praised by some for his expertise in economics and his commitment to transparency and accountability. However, his nomination to lead the BLS has also been met with skepticism by many who are concerned about the potential impact on the agency’s independence and the integrity of the data it collects.
The BLS is one of the most important economic agencies in the US government, and its data is widely used by policymakers, businesses, and investors to make informed decisions. The agency’s independence and objectivity are critical to ensuring that the data it collects is accurate and reliable, and that it is not influenced by political or ideological considerations.
In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the potential for political interference in the BLS’s work. In 2019, the agency came under fire for allegedly manipulating data on unemployment rates to make the economy look stronger than it actually was. The controversy led to a congressional investigation and calls for greater transparency and accountability in the agency’s work.
The nomination of Antoni to lead the BLS raises many questions about the potential for further politicization of the agency’s work. While Antoni has a strong background in economics and has written extensively on topics related to labor and employment, his conservative credentials and lack of experience in government have left many wondering whether he is the right person for the job.
Ultimately, the success of Antoni as the new Commissioner of the BLS will depend on his ability to navigate the complex and often contentious world of economic policy. If he is able to maintain the agency’s independence and objectivity, and ensure that the data it collects is accurate and reliable, then he will be a valuable addition to the team. However, if he allows his conservative views to influence his work, or if he becomes too closely tied to the Trump administration, then his tenure at the BLS could be short-lived.
