President Trump nominated E.J. Antoni, a conservative economist and critic of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as the agency’s new commissioner.
Why it matters: Antoni’s nomination follows the controversial firing of the previous BLS commissioner and raises concerns about the impartiality and reliability of the agency’s crucial economic data.
The details:
- Antoni is an economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation and previously worked with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
- He has been an outspoken critic of the BLS and its data collection methods, questioning the agency’s reports.
- If confirmed by the Senate, Antoni will oversee the BLS, which produces the monthly jobs report, tracks inflation, and provides other key economic statistics.
The nomination comes less than two weeks after Trump fired the previous BLS commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, accusing her of manipulating data for “political purposes” following a downbeat jobs report.
What they’re saying:
- “Our economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the numbers released are honest and accurate,” Trump stated in his announcement.
- William Beach, a former Trump-nominated BLS commissioner, warned that appointing a new commissioner under these circumstances could make future BLS data appear politically influenced.
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the importance of reliable government data, stating, “The government data is really the gold standard in data. We need it to be good and to be able to rely on it.”
The other side: Economists and experts have expressed concerns that politicizing the agency’s leadership could undermine its credibility and the reliability of its data.
What’s next: Antoni’s appointment will need to be confirmed by the Senate. If confirmed, he will face challenges in maintaining public trust in the BLS’s data collection and reporting functions.