U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated economist E.J. Antoni from the right-leaning Heritage Foundation to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following the dismissal of former commissioner Erika McEntarfer over what Trump alleged was a “rigged” jobs report.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump described Antoni as a “Highly Respected Economist” who would ensure employment and inflation data are “honest and accurate.” The appointment requires Senate confirmation.
The decision comes just weeks after Trump removed McEntarfer, accusing her—without evidence—of manipulating July’s non-farm payroll figures, which signaled a weaker-than-expected labor market. Economists and statisticians widely rejected claims of political bias, noting that large revisions in payroll data are a longstanding feature of the monthly reports due to tight data collection timelines.
Heritage Foundation Links and Criticism
The Heritage Foundation, which played a central role in drafting the Project 2025 policy blueprint for a potential Trump second term, has frequently criticized the BLS for significant revisions to job numbers. Antoni himself has publicly described certain Biden-era inflation data as “phoney baloney” and likened jobs reports to “a random number generator.”
Supporters, such as Trump adviser Stephen Moore, say Antoni is a skilled economist with no apparent controversies, predicting a smooth confirmation process. However, critics, including Alex Jacquez of the Groundwork Collaborative, warn that the appointment risks undermining the independence of the BLS, which produces key economic indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and non-farm payrolls report—data that influence global markets, rent adjustments, and wage negotiations.
Challenges Ahead for BLS
If confirmed, Antoni will oversee an agency of around 2,000 employees that has faced budget constraints and hiring freezes. Former BLS Commissioner Erica Groshen expressed concern about Antoni’s lack of recognition within professional economic and statistical communities.
The nomination underscores broader political tensions over the perceived neutrality of U.S. economic data and raises questions about how the BLS will operate under Trump’s renewed influence.
