Trump Chooses Conservative Economist for Lead Role at Labour Statistics Agency
In a move that has sparked controversy, United States President Donald Trump has nominated EJ Antoni, the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Antoni's nomination follows the politically charged dismissal of the prior BLS commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, who was widely regarded as qualified and confirmed by the Senate 86-6 earlier in 2024.
Antoni, known for his conservative partisan ties and public criticisms of the BLS, has been nominated to head the agency that provides critical economic data to the nation. His nomination has raised significant concerns about partisan leanings and potential bias, as well as questions regarding his qualifications to restore public trust and lead modernization efforts at the agency.
Antoni, who has contributed to the Heritage Foundation's far-right "Project 2025" blueprint, has criticized the BLS jobs data methodology, pointing to declining response rates and large revisions to employment figures as problems that previous administrations failed to fix. However, his criticisms have not been accompanied by conclusive evidence proving intentional data manipulation; rather, Antoni asserts methodological flaws need addressing.
Erica Groshen, who led the BLS under former US President Barack Obama, expressed concerns about Antoni's lack of recognition within the business, academic, and public service communities. Economist Jason Furman, an adviser to former US President Barack Obama, called Antoni "completely unqualified" for the position. Furman made his comments about Antoni in a post on platform X.
The gravity of the situation at the BLS is not lost on stakeholders. The agency is experiencing significant staffing losses and challenges in modernization, and Antoni’s role will require restoring trust, defending the agency from political interference, and managing the complexities of the BLS mission. The statement implicitly questions Antoni’s ability to fulfill these critical responsibilities given the controversy surrounding his nomination and perceived partisan stance.
Trump has justified McEntarfer's dismissal by claiming, without evidence, that the latest jobs report was "rigged" to make him look bad. Antoni, on the other hand, has stated that there are "better ways to collect, process, and disseminate" economic data. He has also emphasized the need for accurate data in a timely manner to rebuild trust in the agency.
Antoni's nomination is not without support, however. Trump has stated that Antoni will ensure that the statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are "HONEST and ACCURATE." Antoni requires confirmation by the US Senate to lead the BLS, and it remains to be seen whether his nomination will be successful in the face of ongoing criticism.
In summary, while Antoni is a recognized economist, his nomination is controversial due to his conservative partisan ties, past public criticisms of the BLS, and the political context of his predecessor’s firing. There is ongoing concern that his leadership could deepen partisan distrust rather than strengthen the agency’s impartiality and credibility without clear evidence of his ability to act unbiasedly or effectively reform the BLS.
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