Trump Pulls E.J. Antoni Nomination for Bureau of Labor Statistics Chief/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has withdrawn its nomination of Heritage Foundation economist E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Antoni, a MAGA favorite, drew criticism for lacking qualifications and stoking fears of politicizing critical economic data. The White House says a new nominee will be announced soon.
E.J. Antoni Nomination Withdrawal Quick Looks
- Nomination withdrawn Tuesday, weeks after Antoni was named BLS pick
- Antoni was backed by Steve Bannon and Trump allies, but faced bipartisan criticism
- Concerns centered on partisanship and politicization of jobs and inflation data
- Trump fired former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer in August after disputed jobs report
- Antoni controversial for suggesting suspension of jobs reports until reforms
- Reports linked him to a social media account with anti-LGBTQ posts and conspiracy theories
- Faced steep odds in Senate confirmation, needing votes from GOP moderates Collins and Murkowski
- White House called Antoni a “brilliant economist” but vowed to find a new nominee soon
Deep Look
White House Pulls E.J. Antoni Nomination Amid Controversy and Confirmation Hurdles
WASHINGTON — The White House withdrew the nomination of economist E.J. Antoni to serve as commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following weeks of criticism over his qualifications, partisanship, and controversial past remarks.
Antoni, a researcher at the conservative Heritage Foundation, was a favorite among Trump-aligned conservatives, including Steve Bannon, but quickly emerged as a divisive figure across the political spectrum. Even some conservative economists voiced concern that he lacked the expertise needed to lead the agency responsible for producing the nation’s jobs and inflation data, vital indicators for policymakers and markets alike.
White House Defense and Future Plans
In a statement a White House spokesperson praised Antoni as “a brilliant economist and an American patriot” but said the administration would move forward with a new nominee.
“President Trump is committed to fixing the longstanding failures at the BLS that have undermined the public’s trust in critical economic data,” the official said. “The President plans to announce a new nominee very soon.”
Background: McEntarfer Fired, Antoni Nominated
Antoni’s nomination came in mid-August, just 10 days after Trump abruptly fired Erika McEntarfer, then serving as BLS commissioner. The firing followed a jobs report that included major revisions showing the labor market was weaker than initially reported, angering Trump and his advisers.
The move raised alarms about the White House’s approach to the traditionally independent statistics agency, which sits inside the Department of Labor.
Controversies Surrounding Antoni
Antoni inflamed concerns almost immediately. He publicly suggested suspending jobs reports until the agency addressed internal issues — a proposal critics saw as an overt attempt to suppress unfavorable economic data.
In addition, CNN reported earlier this month that Antoni was linked to a social media account that posted derogatory comments about gay people, attacked former Vice President Kamala Harris, and promoted conspiracy theories.
These revelations further undermined his chances of surviving Senate confirmation.
Senate Obstacles
Even before the controversies escalated, Antoni faced steep odds in the Senate. Republicans hold only a slim majority, and the support of moderates like Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — both frequent critics of Trump — was considered unlikely. Without their votes, Antoni’s nomination was effectively stalled.
Broader Concerns: Politicization of Economic Data
The fight over Antoni’s nomination underscores broader concerns about the independence of federal data agencies under Trump’s second term. Economists warn that politicizing the BLS could undermine public trust in critical data such as the monthly jobs report and the Consumer Price Index, both of which influence Federal Reserve policy and financial markets.
For now, the White House’s withdrawal of Antoni’s nomination may ease some fears, but questions remain about who Trump will nominate next — and whether that candidate will be viewed as a neutral steward of economic data or another partisan choice.
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