Trump Fires BLS Chief After Weak Jobs Report: “We Need Accurate Jobs Numbers!” – Financial Freedom Countdown
Hours after the U.S. posted a lackluster July jobs report, President Donald Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Dr. Erika McEntarfer.
The report showed just 73,000 new jobs, far short of the 106,000 expected, and included sharp downward revisions to May and June’s data.
Trump called the numbers “rigged” and accused McEntarfer, a Biden-era appointee, of manipulating statistics for political reasons.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“We need accurate Jobs Numbers,” he posted. “I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY. She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”
Who Was Erika McEntarfer?
McEntarfer was appointed BLS Commissioner in January 2024 under President Biden.
She previously worked as a labor economist and was considered a nonpartisan figure; until now.
Trump and his allies viewed her as a symbol of what they call “Biden-era data distortion.”
Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski will serve as Acting Commissioner until a permanent replacement is confirmed.
July Jobs Miss Fuels Backlash
The July report was a disappointment across the board:
73,000 jobs added, versus the 106,000 expected
Unemployment rose to 4.2% from 4.1%
Labor force participation dipped to 62.2%
Worse still, May and June job figures were revised down by a combined 258,000 jobs, shaking confidence in the overall labor picture.
Trump Slams Fed and Powell—Again
Trump didn’t stop with BLS. He also renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying Powell “plays games” with interest rates and “should also be put out to pasture.”
The Fed had just announced its fifth straight rate hold.
Biden Economists Cry Foul, Call It a “Dangerous Precedent”
Trump’s critics erupted in outrage. Former Labor Secretary Julie Su accused him of firing McEntarfer for simply “telling the truth.”
Economist William Beach, a Trump appointee and McEntarfer’s predecessor, called the firing “totally groundless” and “dangerous.”
Other economists warned the move could erode public trust in U.S. labor data, with the Economic Policy Institute warning of “chaos” in consumer confidence and investment if people stop believing the numbers.
Tariffs May Be Behind the Hiring Slump
Economists say Trump’s sweeping new tariffs; announced just days before the jobs report, may have played a role in the hiring slowdown.
A survey from the National Association for Business Economics found that 1 in 4 companies plan to delay hiring or investment due to tariff uncertainty.
Trump’s Team Blames Seasonal Trends and Foreign Labor Cuts
Stephen Miran, head of Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers, tried to downplay the numbers, blaming seasonal trends and Trump’s border policies for reducing foreign-held jobs.
“Uncertainty was needed to create leverage,” he said, but argued that with new trade deals and tax cuts in place, “an economic boom” is on the horizon.
Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” at Center of Economic Plan
The job numbers come on the heels of Trump’s signature economic legislation; a sweeping tax and trade package he says will turbocharge growth.
Trump’s allies say the law is just beginning to take effect and that better job numbers are coming.
Trump Doubles Down: “The Economy Is BOOMING!”
Despite the data, Trump remains bullish. “The Economy is BOOMING under ‘TRUMP,’” he wrote.
He claims the BLS numbers were manipulated to undercut Republican momentum ahead of the election and promised a course correction.
Responding to reporters, Trump insisted on the rationale for the firing. “I believe the numbers were phony, just like they were before the election, and there were other times,” Trump said, while refusing to provide proof to back up his allegations.
A Rare Move With High Stakes
Firing a BLS commissioner is virtually unheard of, especially over a single jobs report. While BLS data is often revised, Trump’s direct action sent shockwaves through economic and political circles.
The last time similar tensions surfaced was during the Nixon administration.
What Happens Next?
The White House has not yet named McEntarfer’s permanent replacement, but expectations are that Trump will appoint someone who aligns more closely with his vision of “America First” economics.
Meanwhile, critics worry about a politicized data pipeline and long-term damage to the credibility of government statistics.
Trump Sends a Message
With the stroke of a tweet, Trump made clear he won’t tolerate what he calls “fake data.” Whether this marks a turning point in how Americans view official statistics; or just another skirmish in a deeply polarized political war remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: Trump is once again rewriting the rules of Washington.
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