Premium

Trump fires US Labor Dept’s statistics head after weak jobs report

McEntarfer was nominated by former President Joe Biden to serve in the role in 2023 and was confirmed by the US Senate the following year.

The July jobs report showed just 73,000 jobs were added, while May and June’s figures were sharply revised downward, to 19,000 and 14,000 respectively. (Photos: AP/ Wikimedia Commons)

US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), after the release of a disappointing July employment report and major downward revisions to hiring figures from the previous two months. The decision followed a Truth Social post by Trump alleging the data had been “rigged” for political reasons.

“I have directed my team to fire this Biden political appointee, immediately,” he wrote. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.” In a follow-up post, the president claimed: “Today’s jobs numbers were rigged in order to make the Republicans, and me, look bad.” He provided no evidence for the claim.

Following Trump’s announcement, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer confirmed that McEntarfer was no longer leading the agency. Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski has been named acting director.

Story continues below this ad

“I support the President’s decision to replace Biden’s Commissioner and ensure the American People can trust the important and influential data coming from BLS,” Chavez-DeRemer said on X.

McEntarfer, appointed by former president Joe Biden in 2023, began her term as BLS Commissioner in January 2024.

What the jobs data showed

The July jobs report, released Friday, showed just 73,000 jobs were added, while May and June’s figures were sharply revised downward, to 19,000 and 14,000 respectively. These updates suggested a significantly weaker labour market than initially reported.

The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2%, up from 4.1%.

Trump sharply criticised the revisions. “No one can be that wrong. We need accurate jobs numbers,” he posted, repeating that figures must not be “manipulated for political purposes.”

Story continues below this ad

The abrupt firing sparked criticism from economists and former BLS officials, including two former commissioners. In a joint statement, Friends of BLS, which included William Beach, a Trump appointee, and Erica Groshen, who served under Obama, called the move baseless.

Also Read: | US health department announces 10,000 job cuts in major overhaul

“This rationale for firing Dr McEntarfer is without merit and undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics that are a cornerstone of intelligent economic decision-making,” the group stated, as per AP.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst economist Arin Dube added, according to AP, “Firing the Commissioner when the BLS revises jobs numbers down… threatens to destroy trust in core American institutions, and all government statistics.”

(With inputs from AP)

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India56 min ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog