Trump Fires U.S. Labor Statistics Chief Over Disputed Jobs Report

United States President Donald Trump ignited controversy on Friday, August 1, by firing Erika McEntarfer, head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), just hours after the release of a disappointing jobs report.

Trump announced McEntarfer’s immediate dismissal via his social media platform, accusing her of manipulating job data for political reasons.

“Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate,” he wrote. “They can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”

The BLS report revealed that U.S. non-farm payrolls grew by only 73,000 in July. Even more troubling, the agency revised job numbers from the previous two months downward by 260,000.

Over the past three months, average monthly job growth has plummeted to just 35,000 marking the slowest pace since the COVID-19 pandemic.

McEntarfer’s firing drew swift backlash. Former officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations defended her professionalism and the agency’s independence.

Many described the BLS as one of the world’s most credible and non-partisan statistical agencies.

Its jobs data influences not only U.S. economic policy but also financial markets around the globe, with trillions of dollars reacting to its reports.

Notably, McEntarfer received bipartisan support when the Senate confirmed her in January 2024.

Even JD Vance, a prominent Republican senator, voted in favor of her appointment.

Trump’s decision to sack her has triggered alarm among economists and political observers.

Many fear this move could erode public trust in critical institutions and inject politics into data that should remain neutral.

Critics argue that Trump, now seeking re-election, may be undermining the credibility of agencies that don’t align with his political narrative.

The Department of Labor quickly responded. In a statement to Bloomberg News, Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer confirmed that Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski will take over as acting head of the agency.

Although the president holds the authority to appoint or remove the BLS commissioner, the agency has traditionally operated with a strict firewall separating data operations from political influence.

With election season heating up, Trump’s decision has already reshaped discussions on economic transparency and institutional integrity in Washington.

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