New BLS Head E.J. Antoni Advocates Suspending Monthly Jobs Reports, Citing Accuracy Concerns

E.J. Antoni, the recently appointed head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), has publicly stated his belief that the agency should "suspend issuing the monthly job reports but keep publishing the more accurate, though less timely, quarterly data." This assertion, made during a Fox News interview, was highlighted in a tweet by Ben Hunt, who remarked, "Called it." Antoni's nomination by President Donald Trump follows the controversial dismissal of the previous BLS Commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, whom Trump accused of manipulating job figures.

Antoni, a conservative economist and fellow at the Heritage Foundation, was tapped by President Trump after a July jobs report showed weaker-than-expected growth and significant downward revisions to previous months' data. Trump cited these revisions as a basis for firing McEntarfer, though economists widely defended the BLS's standard revision process as a means of improving data accuracy over time. Antoni's proposal to shift to quarterly reporting stems from his long-standing criticism of the monthly data's reliability due to initial volatility and subsequent revisions.

The BLS's monthly employment reports are critical economic indicators, closely watched by the Federal Reserve for monetary policy decisions, businesses for planning, and investors for market movements. Economists across the political spectrum have voiced concerns about Antoni's nomination, citing his partisan commentary and past instances where he has been accused of misinterpreting economic data. Critics argue that suspending monthly reports could politicize the agency and undermine trust in vital economic statistics.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, indicated that the administration's "plan" and "hope" is for the BL BLS to continue releasing monthly jobs reports, emphasizing the need for data the American people can trust. Despite the controversy, former BLS commissioners and experts suggest that the agency's robust internal processes make it difficult for a commissioner to directly alter data. However, they caution that a politically motivated leader could influence how data is presented or interpreted over time.

Antoni's confirmation by the Senate is pending and is expected to face significant opposition from Democrats. His appointment and proposed changes to data reporting methods underscore a broader debate about the independence and integrity of federal statistical agencies, particularly in a politically charged environment. The move highlights the administration's focus on perceived data accuracy and its willingness to challenge established norms in economic reporting.