Trump Fires BLS Commissioner Over Disputed Jobs Data Fallout

President Donald Trump has dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following dissatisfaction with the July jobs report, which showed a slower-than-expected increase of 73,000 jobs, below the 100,000 forecast. The Wall Street Journal described the outcome as “surprisingly dismal.” Trump accused McEntarfer of manipulating data and stated it was “being produced by a Biden appointee.” He promised to replace her with “someone much more competent and qualified,” emphasizing that economic data must be “fair and accurate” and not influenced for political purposes [1].

McEntarfer, a long-time labor economist with over two decades of experience in federal government roles—including the Census Bureau, Treasury Department, and the White House Council of Economic Advisers—was confirmed as BLS commissioner in 2023 with broad bipartisan support (86-8). Her work focused on job loss, retirement, worker mobility, and wage rigidity [1].

Colleagues and former officials have strongly criticized the move. William Beach, her predecessor and Trump appointee, called the firing “groundless” and warned it could set a dangerous precedent. Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary, stated there was “no conceivable way” the numbers were manipulated, citing the BLS’s strict processes and large workforce. Janet Yellen, former Treasury Secretary, remarked that the dismissal was “the kind of thing you would only expect to see in a banana republic” [1].

The firing is part of a broader effort by Trump to install personnel at the BLS who will produce “more transparent and more reliable” jobs data, according to National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett. Trump’s administration has been replacing officials with those aligned with his administration’s goals, including several female leaders such as Admiral Linda Fagan, Gwynne Wilcox, and Phyllis Fong [1].

McEntarfer publicly acknowledged the honor of serving as BLS commissioner and praised the civil servants who work to measure the U.S. economy. In a post on Bluesky, she wrote, “It has been the honor of my life to serve... It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation” [1].

Trump officials later pointed to the revised May and June job numbers as part of the reasoning for McEntarfer’s removal. Hassett reiterated the administration’s desire for a “fresh set of eyes at the BLS” to “clean this thing up.” The BLS provides essential data for businesses and policymakers, including the Federal Reserve, making the leadership change a significant move with potential implications for economic policy [1].

Source: [1] What to know about Erika McEntarfer, the BLS commissioner fired by Trump (https://fortune.com/2025/08/04/bls-fired-trump-erika-mcentarfer-jobs-report/)