BLS Nominee Faces Broad Criticism Over Data Independence

Trump nominates EJ Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, drawing criticism over the potential politicization of key jobs and inflation data.

BLS Nominee Faces Broad Criticism Over Data Independence

President Donald Trump has nominated EJ Antoni, chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, to head the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS is known for producing the nation’s jobs and inflation data with a long-standing nonpartisan reputation. Critics say Antoni brings a partisan record that could influence how the data is presented, even if the numbers themselves remain based on established methods.

Antoni has publicly questioned the reliability of monthly employment data and suggested pausing monthly reports in favor of quarterly figures, a stance that raises concerns about political interference in data. Supporters point to his congressional testimony and technical background; opponents stress that his public commentary signals a bias that could threaten trust in the agency. Former BLS officials say the figures would be hard to alter, but changes to press releases or framing could occur.

The nomination exposes a clash between data modernization and independence. If confirmed, Antoni could influence how the agency communicates trends, not just what the numbers show. That matters to markets, policymakers, and the public who rely on signals about hiring and inflation.

Observers warn that the political fight around the nomination will test whether a future BLS chief can separate leadership from ideology. A strong case exists for upgrading data sources, yet the risk is that political pressure shifts public trust away from the numbers and toward partisanship.

Highlights

The fate of the data may depend as much on confirmation theater as on data quality