Trump to nominate Heritage Foundation economist E.J. Antoni as Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner after McEntarfer firing

President Donald Trump said Monday, August 11, he plans to nominate E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, as the next commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In a Truth Social post, Trump said, “E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE.”

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The announcement follows Trump’s Aug. 1 firing of former commissioner Erika McEntarfer hours after the release of a weaker-than-expected jobs report. Trump claimed, without evidence, that the July report was “RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”

Antoni has been a vocal skeptic of BLS data. On Steve Bannon’s podcast last week, he called for McEntarfer’s removal. Bannon, a former senior Trump adviser, had reportedly pushed for Antoni’s nomination.

Concerns over data integrity and political interference

As chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, Antoni has authored reports praising the Trump administration’s economic performance. His June analysis described the jobs report that month as a “home run” for the president.

Economists note that the BLS commissioner is not directly involved in compiling jobs reports but is briefed before public release. The July report indicated the US economy added 73,000 jobs, with downward revisions to May and June totaling over 200,000 jobs.

The BLS regularly revises employment, GDP, and inflation data due to survey response rates and the scale of the US economy. Experts say these revisions do not imply manipulation.

JPMorgan’s chief US economist said BLS data accuracy is “built on a foundation of trust.” Economists warn McEntarfer’s firing could affect financial stability and global markets. Historically, BLS and other US statistical agencies have operated with minimal political interference, contributing to their global credibility.

Jason Furman, former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, said Monday, “E.J. Antoni is completely unqualified to be BLS commissioner. He is an extreme partisan and does not have any relevant experience. He would be a break from decades of nonpartisan technocrats.”

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Rachel Bovard of the Conservative Partnership Institute called Antoni “whip smart, passionate, and committed to excellence.”

Previous commissioners often served across administrations. William Beach, nominated by Trump in 2019, remained until March 2023. Keith Hall, nominated by President George W. Bush, continued under Obama. McEntarfer, nominated by President Joe Biden in July 2023, was confirmed 86-8 by the Senate in January 2024, with then-Senator JD Vance voting in favor.