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7h ago

Trump Taps E. J. Antoni to Head Bureau of Labor Statistics

His pending Senate confirmation draws criticism over the risk of politicizing the agency’s independent labor, inflation and employment statistics

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The US Department of Labor building is seen behind a sign marking the location of the agency's headquarters on March 18 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump is seen on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One on May 12.

Overview

  • President Trump formally nominated E. J. Antoni, chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, to be the next Senate-approved commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Economists and former BLS officials warn that Antoni’s outspoken criticism of the agency and backing from Steve Bannon could compromise the nonpartisan reputation of federal labor data.
  • The nomination follows Trump’s firing of Commissioner Erika McEntarfer on August 1 after the BLS reported only 73,000 jobs added in July and revised May and June figures downward by a total of 258,000 jobs.
  • Reporting highlights ongoing operational strains at the BLS, including suspended data collection in three cities, a roughly 15% national reduction in sampling and tight staffing and budget pressures.
  • Market analysts and policymakers rely on BLS statistics for Fed decisions, Social Security adjustments and corporate planning, making confidence in the agency’s data central to economic forecasting.