The Trump White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday fired Erika McEntarfer, director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), after a government report showed a dramatic slowdown in hiring and sharp downward revisions to employment data for previous months.
The decision, announced by Trump through his social network Truth Social, has generated a strong controversy in the political and economic sphere, by calling into question the independence of one of the most respected statistical agencies in the world.
"I have directed my team to fire this Biden political appointee, effective immediately. She will be replaced by someone far more competent and qualified," the president wrote in his post.
Data that sparked the controversy
The report released Friday by the OEL reported that only 73,000 jobs were created in July, and that the figures for May and June were revised downward, eliminating a total of 258,000 previously recorded jobs.
- May: from 125.000 to 19.000 jobs
- June: from 147.000 to 14.000
- The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% to 4.2%
These corrections significantly altered the projected economic picture, affecting perceptions of the Trump administration's economic performance.
Accusations of manipulation
Trump claimed the figures were "manipulated to make Republicans look bad," though he offered no evidence to support his claim. The statement was criticized by experts who warn that such actions could undermine confidence in US economic data.
“Firing the commissioner when OEL routinely reviews figures threatens to destroy confidence in America’s fundamental institutions,” wrote Arin Dube, an economist at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, in X.
Institutional reactions and consequences
McEntarfer, an economist with a background in labor issues, was nominated by former President Joe Biden in 2023 and confirmed with 86 votes in the Senate, including that of current Vice President J.D. Vance. Her four-year term officially began in January 2024.
Despite his broad confirmation, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer upheld the president's decision and announced that William Wiatrowski, deputy commissioner of the OEL, will take over as interim director.
“I support the president’s decision to replace Biden’s commissioner,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “The American people deserve reliable, unbiased data.”
A standard at risk
Monthly employment data are a global benchmark for investors, governments, and analysts. Considered for decades as the "gold standard" in economic measurement, their integrity is based on the transparency and neutrality of their production.
Experts warn that this episode represents a dangerous expansion of presidential power, similar to Trump's previous attempts to influence institutions such as Congress, the judiciary, international trade, and the media.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer responded harshly:
"What does a bad leader do when he receives bad news? He shoots the messenger."
Immediate impact
Disappointing figures and political controversy sent stock markets tumbling on Friday, reflecting investor concerns about the country's economic direction and the credibility of official data.
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