President Donald Trump abruptly fired Erika McEntarfer, head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), just hours after the agency reported sluggish job growth. The move has sparked alarm among economists and policymakers who fear for the integrity and independence of U.S. labor data.
In a social media post Friday, Trump announced he had ordered McEntarfer’s immediate dismissal. He accused the BLS of producing “rigged” numbers after July’s report showed only 73,000 jobs added, with previous months revised down by 260,000. Trump, without evidence, claimed the data was politically manipulated to harm Republicans.
Economists from both parties quickly came to McEntarfer’s defense, warning that Trump’s actions threaten the credibility of an institution long regarded as the “gold standard” for impartial labor statistics. They emphasized that over 90% of economists believe politicizing labor data undermines public trust and damages markets that rely on accurate information.
The July report highlighted a troubling slowdown, with job growth averaging just 35,000 per month over the last quarter — the worst figures since the pandemic’s height. With trillions of dollars hinging on these reports, economists say any interference in their production could have far-reaching economic consequences.
The BLS, under the Department of Labor, confirmed McEntarfer’s termination. Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski has been appointed as acting chief. Despite the president’s authority to appoint the commissioner, the BLS is legally mandated to operate independently.
Trump’s firing of McEntarfer has drawn sharp condemnation from lawmakers. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer called the move “an attack on workers and data transparency.” Even William Beach, a former Trump-appointed BLS chief, described the firing as “totally groundless” and a “dangerous precedent.”
Adding to concerns, the BLS has faced chronic budget and staffing shortages. Since 2010, its funding has declined by 20% after inflation adjustments, and Trump’s 2026 budget proposes another 8% cut, further straining the agency’s ability to collect accurate data.
The revisions to the jobs data were primarily driven by seasonal adjustments in state and local education employment, a standard practice the BLS uses to ensure accuracy. BLS economist Lindsay Walk emphasized that such revisions reflect a “more complete and accurate picture” as data from additional businesses is collected.
However, a deeper issue persists: response rates from businesses have dropped below 60%, down from 70% pre-pandemic, making data collection increasingly challenging. This problem is exacerbated by shrinking budgets and staff.
Furthermore, the BLS conducts large annual revisions each February to benchmark figures to more comprehensive datasets. Last year’s revision was the largest since 2009, a reminder that economic data is always evolving with better information.
Trump’s decision to fire McEntarfer amid these normal revisions has raised red flags, even among some Republicans. Many fear this marks a shift towards politically motivated tampering with economic indicators.
As the controversy unfolds, the key question remains: Can the Bureau of Labor Statistics maintain its century-old reputation for unbiased reporting, or will political interference distort the very numbers that shape America’s economic reality?
