Traditionally, the head of the federal agency responsible for reporting the nation’s jobs and inflation data has been a low-profile, nonpartisan expert with a background in statistics. But in President Donald Trump’s second term, that tradition is being upended.
Trump has nominated E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). His selection has sparked significant backlash from economists across the political spectrum, many of whom fear the potential politicization of an agency long respected for its impartiality and reliable economic reporting.
While experts believe that it would be difficult for Antoni to manipulate the actual data — particularly in the short term — they warn that he could reshape how the numbers are presented to the public, potentially injecting partisan messaging into what are typically dry, technical reports.
Antoni’s nomination followed a disappointing jobs report released on August 1, which showed weaker-than-expected hiring in July and downward revisions for May and June. Trump immediately accused the agency, without evidence, of “rigging” the numbers for political reasons. Soon after, he fired then-Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, a move that rattled many inside the department.
Antoni, who has been a frequent critic of government employment data on conservative media platforms, has called for pausing the release of monthly jobs reports until data collection methods improve. He argues instead for using quarterly data derived from actual filings with state unemployment offices.
The monthly BLS reports are among the most closely watched indicators of economic health, often influencing financial markets. When asked whether these reports would continue, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration hopes they will, adding that Trump has confidence in Antoni’s leadership.
Despite that endorsement, Antoni’s public record has raised alarms. Critics describe him as a partisan figure more focused on supporting Trump’s agenda than providing objective economic analysis. He has made a series of questionable economic claims — including asserting that the U.S. had been in a recession since 2022 and criticizing the Federal Reserve for not turning a profit on its bond holdings.
One of his more controversial statements involved a claim that inflation was on track to hit 15%, based on a misleading chart. He also suggested that Social Security should eventually be phased out, saying a generation should pay into the system without ever receiving benefits. As BLS commissioner, Antoni would oversee the release of the Consumer Price Index, which determines cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients.
Some economists agree that government jobs data could be improved, citing challenges like declining survey response rates. But they caution that change requires investment in updated methods and data sources — something that may not align with proposed budget cuts to the agency.
Katharine Abraham, a former BLS commissioner, emphasized that more reliable data could come from integrating private payroll data with traditional surveys. However, she noted that demands for better data must be matched by adequate funding.
Despite concerns, many former BLS officials believe the agency’s internal processes are robust enough to protect the integrity of the data. William Beach, who served as commissioner during both the Trump and Biden administrations, explained that commissioners have limited influence over the actual figures, which are compiled and reviewed independently by career staff.
“The commissioner doesn’t touch the numbers,” Beach said. “They don’t gather the data, they don’t manipulate it, they don’t organize it.” While he acknowledged a minimal risk of interference, he stressed that it’s extremely unlikely.
Still, Antoni’s confirmation process is expected to be contentious. It took around six months for McEntarfer to be confirmed after her nomination in 2023. Democrats are already pushing back, with Senator Patty Murray calling Antoni an “unqualified right-wing extremist” and urging a full confirmation hearing.
Whether or not his nomination is ultimately successful, Antoni’s potential leadership marks a dramatic shift in the traditionally apolitical role of the nation’s top labor statistician.
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