Trump Fires Labor Chief After Failing Job Growth Report
President Donald Trump has dismissed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Erika McEntarfer, following the release of a government report indicating a considerable slowdown in job growth over the past three months. On Truth Social, Trump accused McEntarfer of producing misleading job reports as a Biden appointee and demanded a replacement who would deliver accurate data. He further alleged that the recent jobs numbers were “RIGGED” to damage his reputation and that of the Republican Party, despite failing to provide any evidence for his claims.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a mere addition of 73,000 jobs in July, far below expectations, and revised previous months’ numbers downward by more than 200,000 jobs. This alarming data prompted Trump’s decision to terminate McEntarfer, sending shockwaves through Washington as it reflects a broader trend of his administration’s increasing hostility towards independent governmental agencies and their expertise.
Critics, including nonpartisan experts, condemned Trump’s actions, asserting that the termination undermines the credibility of government institutions and threatens the integrity of economic data collection. Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, remarked that such behavior leads governments into precarious territory where truth has little value.
The BLS has been recognized historically for its independence in producing labor market data, essential for informed decision-making by businesses, consumers, and policymakers. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer emphasized that jobs numbers should remain non-partisan and free from political manipulation—an assertion that consumer and business confidence relies on for economic stability.
As Trump seeks to reshape the BLS to suit his narrative, former Labor Department officials and experts have raised alarm about the potential long-term impacts on trust in economic data. They emphasize that accurate, reliable data collection is crucial for the health of the U.S. economy, indicating that the politicization of such data is akin to practices seen in authoritarian regimes, ultimately jeopardizing democratic integrity.