In a dramatic move following the release of disappointing July employment figures, President Donald Trump on Friday fired Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), raising serious concerns among economists and former government officials about the politicization of federal data.
Dr. McEntarfer, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden in early 2024, was dismissed just hours after the BLS reported that the U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, significantly below the projected 106,000. Additionally, previously released job growth figures for May and June were sharply revised downward, amplifying market concerns and presidential frustration.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused McEntarfer of overseeing the release of what he claimed were “manipulated” or “inaccurate” jobs numbers, writing:
“We need accurate Jobs Numbers. I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY. She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.”
The Department of Labor later confirmed that McEntarfer had been terminated. Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski has been appointed as Acting Commissioner during the search for a permanent replacement, according to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
What Prompted the Firing?
The July jobs report not only underwhelmed in terms of new employment, but also showed troubling signs in other key metrics:
-
Unemployment rose to 4.2%, up from 4.0% the previous month.
-
Labor force participation declined slightly, from 62.3% to 62.2%.
-
Substantial downward revisions were made to prior months, raising questions in political circles about the reliability of the data.
Although revisions are standard practice in monthly BLS reports as more data is collected post-release Trump seized on the moment to discredit the agency’s leadership, asserting that the economy is “booming” under his renewed administration and that the weak report is a “major mistake.”
Backlash From the Economic Community
The decision drew swift condemnation from economists, former BLS officials, and nonpartisan analysts, who argued that the move risks undermining decades of trust in the nation’s economic reporting systems.
“Firing the head of the BLS is five-alarm intentional harm to the integrity of U.S. economic data and the entire statistical system,” wrote Jed Kolko, former Under Secretary for Economic Affairs.
“Even if nothing in BLS processes actually changes, public trust is permanently harmed when the BLS commissioner is fired after one bad jobs report,” added Skanda Amarnath, Executive Director of Employ America.
Others echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that statistical agencies must remain independent of political influence to preserve data accuracy, credibility, and public confidence.
William Beach, who served as BLS commissioner under Trump, publicly opposed the firing of his successor:
“The totally groundless firing of Dr. Erika McEntarfer sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau.”
Julie Su, former acting Labor Secretary under Biden, told Truth Sider:
“This is just a typical move by someone who hates real facts because they tell the truth about how much damage he’s doing.”
Why Economists Are Alarmed
The central issue isn’t just the termination itself but the timing and rationale. Economists point out that the BLS routinely revises employment data as more complete surveys and business responses are received. July’s downward revisions may have been larger than normal, but there is no evidence of manipulation or political interference under McEntarfer.
Ernie Tedeschi of Yale Budget Lab noted:
“BLS payroll numbers ‘overstated’ employment by half a million in 2019 as well. Every economist who knows the first thing about labor data knows this has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the challenges of real-time jobs estimation in the world’s biggest economy.”
Max Stier, CEO of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, warned of lasting damage:
“Governments that go down this path find themselves in ugly territory very quickly.”
Heidi Shierholz, President of the Economic Policy Institute, added:
“If policymakers and the public start to doubt the integrity of the numbers, confidence will collapse creating chaos that will reduce business investment and consumer spending.”
Broader Implications: Is Economic Data Being Politicized?
The firing comes amid a broader pattern of tension between Trump and key economic institutions. On Friday, Trump also criticized the Federal Reserve, accusing Chair Jerome Powell of “playing games” and calling again for his removal. The Fed, which kept interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive time this week, has frequently drawn Trump’s ire.
Trump’s remarks and actions appear aimed at reasserting control over economic narratives ahead of the 2024 presidential election cycle, where job creation and inflation will be central issues.
But critics argue that such moves risk pushing the U.S. into dangerous political territory, where facts and data can be reframed or dismissed if they don’t serve the current administration's goals.
What Happens Next?
With Deputy Commissioner Wiatrowski now serving as interim head of the BLS, all eyes are on who Trump will choose as a permanent replacement. Many worry that the appointment could be overtly political, further eroding the agency’s independence.
Meanwhile, analysts and economists continue to defend the BLS, urging Americans to trust in the rigorous statistical methodologies and protections that have long shielded the agency from partisan interference.
The abrupt dismissal of Dr. Erika McEntarfer over a routine jobs report has sparked a new debate over the fragility of nonpartisan institutions in a highly polarized political climate. While presidents appoint BLS commissioners, the expectation has always been that the agency would function free from political pressure. If that firewall is now broken, the ramifications for economic policy, market confidence, and democratic norms could be far-reaching.
