Administration under Trump adopts an Orwellian approach
In a recent turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump has found himself in the spotlight once again, this time for his decision to fire the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The move has sparked concerns and criticism from various quarters, with some viewing it as an attempt to control data and narratives.
According to reports, Trump fired the commissioner on Friday, citing his dissatisfaction with the job numbers. However, evidence presented by CNN's Daniel Dale suggests that Trump's explanation was conspiratorial and wrong. Sen. Cynthia Lummis called Trump's decision "kind of impetuous," while Sen. Thom Tillis stated that if Trump fired the commissioner "just because they didn't like the numbers, they ought to grow up."
The firing occurred hours after the agency delivered Trump some unfavorable job numbers, the worst non-Covid three-month jobs numbers since 2010. This incident has raised concerns that the move could make it difficult for people to trust the data the administration is putting out. Sens. Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski expressed similar concerns.
The controversy surrounding Trump's decision extends beyond the BLS. Recently, a board containing historical information, including a reference to Trump's two impeachments, was removed from the National Museum of American History. Concerns arose that the removal was a thinly veiled attempt to rewrite history to Trump's liking. The Smithsonian has stated that an updated version of the exhibit will ultimately mention all impeachment efforts, including Trump's.
Trump's administration has a history of trying to control narratives and rewrite history. The Washington Post reported that the content review for the museum's "legacy content" may have come after pressure from the White House to remove an art museum director. Trump's administration's efforts to weed out diversity, equity, and inclusion from the government often ensnared things that merely celebrated Black people and women.
However, it is important to note that there is no direct public evidence that the Trump administration systematically manipulated or controlled official data from the BLS or the Smithsonian Institution. Allegations about election-related data handling do not extend to these scientific and statistical agencies.
In March 2021, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, expressing concern over a perceived effort to rewrite American history with a distorted narrative. The executive order, which has been criticized by some Republican senators, including Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, has raised concerns about the potential suppression of free speech rights and the distortion of historical facts.
The real problem with Trump's decision to fire McEntarfer, according to the text, is the message it sends to those in similar positions: that data and conclusions should be to Trump's liking, or else. This incident, along with the removal of the board from the National Museum of American History and the executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, highlights the need for vigilance in preserving the integrity of data and historical facts.
- The controversy surrounding Trump's decision to fire the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has raised concerns about policy-and-legislation within politics, as some view it as an attempt to control data and narratives.
- The general-news media, such as CNN, has reported on Trump's decision, with evidence suggesting his explanation was conspiratorial and wrong, highlighting the importance of accurate reporting in war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice.
- The removal of a board from the National Museum of American History and the signing of an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution by Trump's administration, as hinted in the text, have brought sports of free speech rights and historical fact-verification into the political discourse.
