Trump chooses a "MAGA faction" candidate for the new head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Trump chooses a "MAGA faction" candidate for the new head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A politically charged candidate leading the BLS could further undermine market confidence in the United States' key economic indicators.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsBy: Ye Zhen, Wall Street Insights
Former U.S. President Trump's nomination of a long-time public critic of official economic data from the "MAGA" faction to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics has heightened deep concerns over BLS’s future political independence and the credibility of its economic data.
On August 12, Trump announced via the social media platform Truth Social that conservative economist EJ Antoni would become the new commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In his post, Trump stated, "Our economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure the numbers released are honest and accurate." The appointment requires Senate confirmation.
After the weak July jobs report, Trump swiftly fired former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, accusing her—without providing evidence—of manipulating data for political purposes. McEntarfer had been appointed by former President Biden.
For investors and policymakers, the impartiality of BLS data is crucial. Recent employment reports have fundamentally shifted market perceptions of the labor market—from solid to nearly stagnant—and raised questions about the Federal Reserve’s prior decision to resist Trump’s calls for rate cuts and maintain current interest rates.
Now, with a politically charged figure taking leadership of the BLS, confidence in the reliability of U.S. core economic indicators may be further undermined.
A Bannon-Backed Pick With Clear Political Leanings
EJ Antoni is the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, holds a Ph.D. in economics, and is a top recommendation from Steve Bannon, a senior advisor during Trump’s first term and a highly influential figure within conservative circles. Bannon reportedly called Antoni “the perfect person to run the BLS at the perfect time.”
Antoni is openly vocal about his political views. After a recent jobs report, when asked on Bannon’s podcast whether the BLS was led by “MAGA Republicans,” he replied, “Unfortunately, no.” He added that this was partly why “we keep having all these data issues.”
Additionally, Antoni is one of the contributors to the “Project 2025” policy blueprint, which advocates for maximizing the number of political appointees within the Department of Labor—the parent agency of the BLS.
He is also a senior fellow at Unleash Prosperity, an organization whose leadership includes prominent figures such as Steve Forbes, Arthur Laffer, and Stephen Moore, and which regularly provides policy advice to Trump.
The Firing That Shook the 'Gold Standard' Reputation
Trump’s public attacks on BLS data and political interference in leadership began with the firing of McEntarfer.
On August 1, shortly after the BLS released weak employment data, Trump dismissed her. The report showed average job growth over the past three months was only 35,000, with downward revisions of up to 258,000 jobs for May and June—the largest downward adjustment since the pandemic.
Trump claimed the figures were “manipulated” to embarrass him and Republicans. However, the BLS explained that data revisions are standard practice, incorporating additional information and seasonal adjustments to improve long-term accuracy.
The dismissal of McEntarfer caused significant shockwaves within professional circles.
BLS commissioners serve four-year terms, typically spanning both Republican and Democratic administrations, to ensure continuity and independence.
Even William Beach, the BLS commissioner previously appointed by Trump, criticized the firing as “damaging” and said it “undermines the credibility of the BLS.” Following the incident, McEntarfer’s deputy, William Wiatrowski, has served as acting commissioner.
Potential Major Overhaul Ahead for BLS
If confirmed, Antoni plans sweeping reforms at the BLS. He has called for a “top-to-bottom” review of the agency’s entire process for data collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination, and has advocated for the BLS to publish more information on its website to enhance transparency.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has proposed broader institutional changes. Its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal suggests transferring the BLS under the Department of Commerce, aligning it with other economic statistics agencies such as the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The proposal also includes plans to reduce BLS’s budget and staffing levels, exacerbating existing financial challenges the agency already faces.
As the agency responsible for publishing key U.S. economic data including employment and inflation, BLS outputs form the foundation for a wide range of business and policy decisions—from wage standards to adjustments in Social Security benefits.
Although housed within the Department of Labor, the BLS has largely operated independently. Placing a known political ally in this pivotal role now subjects its independence and the integrity of its data to unprecedented scrutiny.
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