TechFlow, August 2 — According to Axios, former U.S. President Trump said he would fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), citing the independent government agency's release of weak employment data for July and downward revisions to prior-month figures.
The BLS confirmed that Director Erika McEntarfer was "removed" on Friday, appointing long-time BLS official William Wiatrowski as acting director. Trump stated on Truth Social that this "Biden political appointee" would be replaced by someone "more capable and qualified," making unsubstantiated claims that McEntarfer manipulated data for political purposes.
BLS data showed only 73,000 jobs added in July, with significant downward revisions to employment growth estimates for May and June. Former BLS Director William Beach said McEntarfer's removal "sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the BLS."
