The White House on Sunday defended President Donald Trump’s abrupt dismissal of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, amid intensifying backlash from economists, lawmakers, and business leaders over the potential erosion of trust in U.S. economic data.
Trump, speaking to reporters, reiterated his criticism of McEntarfer, accusing her without evidence of manipulating employment numbers. He promised to announce her replacement, along with a new nominee for the Federal Reserve Board, within days. The president’s move follows the BLS’s latest report, which revised May and June job creation downward by a combined 258,000, sparking Trump’s claims of inaccuracy.
White House economic officials insisted the dismissal was warranted. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told Fox News Sunday the president had “real concerns” about data quality. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, speaking on Face the Nation, acknowledged that while data revisions are routine, “sometimes they go in really extreme ways.”
Critics, however, denounced the firing as politically motivated. Former BLS Commissioner William Beach emphasized that “there is no way for a commissioner to rig the jobs numbers,” adding that such accusations undermine the agency’s credibility. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called the allegations “preposterous,” noting that hundreds of career professionals produce BLS data under strict protocols.
McEntarfer, who led the BLS since 2022, responded on Bluesky, calling her tenure “the honor of her life” and lauding the dedication of her team. The BLS explained the revisions as routine updates based on late-submitted data and seasonal adjustments, standard practice that has been in place for decades.
Adding to market anxiety, Trump’s announcement came days after Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler resigned unexpectedly, creating a vacancy at the central bank during a critical period of economic uncertainty. Global stock markets fell amid concerns over growing political interference in traditionally independent institutions.
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan warned that large statistical revisions could shake investor confidence. “We need more resilient and predictable data,” he said.
As calls mount for Congress to investigate the firing, observers fear the episode may signal further politicization of vital economic institutions.
Written By Rodney Mbua
