Trump dismisses the head of U.S. Labor Statistics following disappointing July employment figures
In a move that has sparked controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump removed Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following the release of July's jobs report. The report showed weaker-than-expected hiring numbers and downward revisions to prior months [1][2].
Trump accused McEntarfer, a Biden appointee confirmed in a bipartisan vote, of manipulating economic data to make Republicans and himself look bad. However, he has provided no evidence to support these allegations [1][2].
McEntarfer, a career economist with extensive nonpartisan experience, oversees the BLS, an agency known for its decentralized, transparent, and reliable methods in compiling employment data. The monthly jobs report undergoes revisions as more complete data arrives, which is a normal part of the statistical process [1][2].
Experts and organizations defending the BLS have denounced Trump's claim as baseless and harmful. They stress that the agency's statistics are globally regarded as the "gold standard" in economic measurement. These accusations and the firing risk undermining public trust in official economic data and federal statistical independence [1][2][3].
The firing highlights an expansion of presidential power in attempting to control or influence key economic institutions and data reporting. Trump's decision to replace McEntarfer with an unspecified "more competent and qualified" individual is seen as controversial, given the BLS's longstanding reputation for producing unbiased economic statistics crucial for policymaking, markets, and public understanding [1][2][3].
The monthly employment report is one of the most closely-watched pieces of government economic data. In July, only 73,000 positions were added, and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. The disappointing jobs report sent U.S. market indexes about 1.5% lower on Friday [1].
The removal of McEntarfer followed a report showing hiring slowed in July and was weaker in May and June than previously reported. Job gains in May were revised down to 19,000 from a previously revised 125,000, and for June they were cut to 14,000 from 147,000 [1].
Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump for firing McEntarfer, stating that a bad leader shoots the messenger when they receive bad news. After Trump's post, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced that McEntarfer was no longer leading the bureau, and William Wiatrowski, the deputy commissioner, would serve as the acting director [1].
In the past decade, companies have taken longer to respond, which may have contributed to larger monthly revisions [1]. Trump focused his criticism on the revisions made to previous hiring data by the agency.
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Trump fires Labor Statistics chief after weaker-than-expected jobs report. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-fires-labor-statistics-chief-after-weaker-than-expected-jobs-report-n1287381
[2] The Washington Post. (2025, August 1). Trump fires Labor Statistics chief after weaker-than-expected jobs report. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/01/trump-fires-labor-statistics-chief-after-weaker-than-expected-jobs-report/
[3] The New York Times. (2025, August 1). Trump Accuses Labor Statistics Chief of Manipulating Jobs Data, Fires Her. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/us/politics/trump-erika-mcentarfer-bureau-of-labor-statistics.html
- The firing of Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by President Trump has stirred debates over the manipulation of economic data.
- Trump accused McEntarfer, a career economist known for her nonpartisan experience, of manipulating job statistics to tarnish the image of Republicans and himself.
- Experts and organizations have condemned Trump's allegations as baseless and harmful, potentially affecting public trust in official economic data.
- The monthly employment report is a crucial piece of government economic data, with July's report showing weak hiring numbers and revisions to previous months' data.
- Trump's decision to remove McEntarfer and replace her with a "more competent and qualified" individual has raised concerns about the future independence of federal statistical agencies.
- In the face of this controversy, criticism of Trump has come from both sides of the political aisle, with Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer likening the move to shooting the messenger.
- Despite the intensity of the controversy, the exact reasons behind McEntarfer's removal and the qualifications of her potential replacement remain unspecified.
- As opposed to the complex surrounding the economy and employment data, in the world of sports, the NBA, NCAA basketball, sports betting, and car accidents continue to keep fans captivated with their breaking news, healthy competition, and thrilling events.
