Trump Fires BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer Over Jobs Report/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump abruptly fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer over a disappointing jobs report. Economists and former colleagues condemned the move, calling it politically motivated and dangerous to data integrity. McEntarfer had a strong nonpartisan background and bipartisan Senate support.
Trump Fires BLS Chief Erika McEntarfer – Quick Looks
- Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) head Erika McEntarfer on Friday.
- The move followed a weak July jobs report and downward revisions for May and June.
- Trump accused McEntarfer, without evidence, of manipulating employment data.
- McEntarfer was appointed under Biden and confirmed with bipartisan Senate support.
- Experts say she maintained a nonpartisan, data-driven approach in her role.
- Former colleagues and economists denounced the firing as unjustified and harmful.
- McEntarfer has an economics Ph.D. and decades of public service experience.
- Critics warn the firing undermines the independence of U.S. statistical agencies.
Trump Fires BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer Over Jobs Report
Deep Look
In a move that stunned the economic and political communities alike, President Donald Trump dismissed Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Erika McEntarfer on Friday. The firing came just hours after the release of a disappointing jobs report that showed slower-than-expected hiring in July and significant downward revisions to May and June’s employment figures.
Trump publicly accused McEntarfer, without providing any evidence, of manipulating the data to harm his administration. He pointed out that she had been appointed by former President Joe Biden, suggesting political motives behind the numbers. The firing has ignited a backlash from economists, former officials, and labor data professionals who say McEntarfer maintained strict objectivity throughout her tenure.
A Career Rooted in Economic Integrity
Erika McEntarfer’s career in federal service spans multiple agencies and administrations. With a Ph.D. in economics from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in social science from Bard College, McEntarfer has focused her research on labor market dynamics—particularly job loss, retirement, wage rigidity, and worker mobility.
Prior to leading the BLS, she worked at the Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies, the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy, and the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Across each role, colleagues describe her as methodical, rigorous, and wholly apolitical.
Bipartisan Confirmation and Broad Respect
McEntarfer was nominated in 2023 and confirmed as BLS commissioner in January 2024 with overwhelming bipartisan support—an 86-8 vote in the Senate. Her confirmation was backed by Republican Senators JD Vance and Marco Rubio, who now serve in Trump’s administration as vice president and secretary of state, respectively.
In support of her nomination, a coalition known as Friends of the BLS—comprising former commissioners, statistical experts, and economists—praised her qualifications. They noted that her leadership came at a time of transformation for the agency and emphasized her research-driven approach and commitment to statistical integrity.
Condemnation from Former Officials
Trump’s decision to dismiss McEntarfer was quickly condemned by those familiar with her work and by former government officials. William Beach, who served as BLS commissioner from 2019 to 2023 and was appointed by Trump himself, called the firing “groundless” and warned that it sets a “dangerous precedent.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stressed that the move threatens the objectivity of America’s statistical systems.
Sarah J. Glynn, former chief economist at the Labor Department, worked closely with McEntarfer and regularly received briefings from her. Glynn explained that McEntarfer was consistently transparent about what conclusions the data did or didn’t support.
“She had a sterling reputation as someone who is concerned about the accuracy of the data and not someone who puts a political spin on her work,” Glynn said.
Not Political, Just Precise
Heather Boushey, a senior research fellow at Harvard University and former colleague of McEntarfer at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, reinforced the notion that McEntarfer never engaged in political gamesmanship.
“She showed up every day to focus on the best analysis and the best approach to her field and not get political,” Boushey said. “She is brilliant and well-respected among labor economists.”
McEntarfer has not publicly responded to the firing. As of Friday evening, the White House had not announced an interim commissioner or details on who would lead the agency moving forward.
Broader Implications for Data Integrity
The abrupt dismissal of a Senate-confirmed, nonpartisan data official over unfavorable economic numbers raises alarms about the politicization of U.S. statistics. Experts warn that allowing political leaders to target independent data officials undermines trust in public data and could discourage qualified professionals from public service roles.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is tasked with providing impartial economic data, including the widely scrutinized monthly employment report. These figures influence markets, policy decisions, and public perception of the economy. With McEntarfer’s removal, critics fear a chilling effect on the agency’s ability to report data without political interference.
As the Trump administration moves forward with selecting a replacement, pressure is mounting from economists and lawmakers alike to preserve the independence and credibility of the BLS.
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