President Donald Trump has dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), after a weaker-than-expected July jobs report. The abrupt termination triggered widespread concern among economists, who say the move could threaten the credibility and independence of key economic data.
In a statement on social media, Trump said McEntarfer was fired “IMMEDIATELY,” adding:
“Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate. They can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”
The firing follows a BLS report that showed a significant slowdown in job growth in July and downward revisions for May and June.
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Who Is Erika McEntarfer?
Erika McEntarfer is a seasoned government economist with decades of experience. Before leading the BLS, she served in various nonpartisan roles at top government institutions, including:
- Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies
- Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy
- White House Council of Economic Advisers
Her research has focused on job loss, retirement trends, worker mobility, and wage rigidity.
Education and Appointment
- 🎓 Bachelor’s in Social Science – Bard College
- 🎓 Ph.D. in Economics – Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
McEntarfer was nominated in 2023 by President Joe Biden and confirmed in January 2024 by a bipartisan Senate vote of 86–8. Notably, several current Trump allies voted for her confirmation, including:
- JD Vance, now Vice President
- Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State
Bipartisan Support for McEntarfer
At the time of her nomination, Friends of the BLS — a group of former commissioners and statisticians — praised McEntarfer as an ideal candidate due to her deep background in labor statistics and economic research.
Backlash from Economists and Former Officials
The firing has been met with sharp criticism from experts:
- William Beach, former BLS commissioner appointed by Trump in 2019, called the decision “groundless” and warned it “undermines the statistical mission” of the agency.
- Sarah J. Glynn, former Chief Economist at the Department of Labor, said McEntarfer was “generous with her time” and transparent about how BLS data should be interpreted.
What’s Next for BLS?
The White House has not yet named a replacement for McEntarfer. Economists warn that Trump’s decision could cast a shadow over future jobs reports and impact global confidence in U.S. labor data at a critical moment in the election year.