Trump fires Labor Statistics Commissioner McEntarfer

Kevin Hassett supports Trump's decision to fire Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, calling for loyalty.

Trump seeks loyalty at Bureau of Labor Statistics following commissioner firing

Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, defended President Donald Trump's recent firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, asserting that Trump wants individuals loyal to him in key positions. This decision followed the release of an unsatisfactory jobs report, which showed a lower-than-expected addition of 73,000 jobs in July. Trump claimed the data was manipulated to hurt his reputation, leading to public discourse on the reliability of BLS data. While Hassett suggested the need for a fresh perspective at the bureau, critics like former BLS Commissioner William Beach and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers warned that such firings could undermine the credibility of future reports and lead to increased perceptions of governmental manipulation of statistical data.

The decision to replace McEntarfer raises critical questions about the integrity of economic data in the United States. Critics are increasingly concerned that political motives could influence the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which plays a vital role in informing national economic policy. As Hassett calls for a 'fresh set of eyes,' the implications of this move suggest possible politicization of important economic metrics, potentially undermining public trust. With growing economic uncertainty, particularly in light of new tariffs, observers should remain vigilant about how such changes impact not just data integrity but broader economic policies.

Highlights

The ongoing developments warrant close attention from both policymakers and economists.