President Donald Trump has fired Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), on August 1, 2025, following the release of a July jobs report indicating a significant slowdown in U.S. hiring. The dismissal occurred after the BLS reported a gain of only 73,000 nonfarm jobs for July and substantial downward revisions to previous months' figures. Trump accused McEntarfer, a Biden appointee, of manipulating economic data for political purposes, specifically to influence the 2024 election.
The July report also included combined downward revisions of 258,000 jobs for May and June, painting a picture of a weaker labor market than previously understood. In a social media post, Bryan Beal stated, > "Why was the person responsible for reporting US job statistics fired? Maybe because they were wrong every month." He further claimed, "I highlighted the months the Biden appointee said the jobs market was better than it actually was from 2023-2024 when Biden was running for reelection." This echoes President Trump's assertion that the numbers were "faked" to benefit political opponents.
Dr. Erika McEntarfer was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2023 and confirmed by the Senate in January 2024 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 86-8. She had a distinguished career spanning over two decades in federal government, including roles at the Census Bureau, Treasury Department, and the White House's Council of Economic Advisers. Her term as BLS Commissioner was intended to be four years, a period that often spans multiple presidential administrations.
The firing has drawn sharp criticism from economists and former government officials, who argue it undermines the integrity and independence of federal statistical agencies. Former BLS Commissioner William Beach, a Trump appointee, called the firing "groundless" and a "dangerous precedent." However, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer publicly supported the President's decision, citing "a recent string of major revisions" that raised concerns. Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski has been appointed as acting commissioner.
President Trump specifically referenced previous revisions, noting that the BLS had retroactively reduced the 12-month payroll gain preceding March 2024 by approximately 818,000 jobs. He reiterated his belief that such adjustments, along with the latest report, indicated a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the economic situation. This move intensifies concerns about potential political interference in the reporting of crucial economic indicators.