US President Donald Trump has instructed the dismissal of Erika McEntarfer, the nation’s commissioner of labor statistics, following a report from the Labor Department that indicated disappointing hiring figures last month, along with revisions that revealed a reduction of a quarter-million jobs in the previous two months.
Trump announced that he had ordered the immediate termination of McEntarfer, who heads the Bureau of Labor Statistics, claiming that the July report inaccurately reflects what he describes as a "thriving" economy driven by his administration's policies.
According to the Labor Department's report released early Friday, the US added 73,000 nonfarm jobs in July, which is about a third less than what economists had anticipated. More significantly, the job gains for the two preceding months were revised downwards by a total of 258,000 positions.
While revisions to employment reports are common, the BLS noted that the adjustments for May and June were "larger than usual."
McEntarfer, a labor economist, was appointed by former President Joe Biden in July 2023 and confirmed by the Senate as the commissioner of labor statistics in January 2024, as stated on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. She had previously worked as a senior economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisors, where she provided guidance on the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Trump appointee, expressed her support for the "President's decision to replace Biden's Commissioner" on her social media platform. She mentioned that during the search for a new commissioner, Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski will take on the role of acting commissioner.
"Crucial figures like these must be accurate and fair; they cannot be distorted for political gain," Trump stated, although he did not present any evidence to support claims of data manipulation. "McEntarfer reported that only 73,000 jobs were added (which was shocking!), but more importantly, they made a significant error, revising down by 258,000 jobs in the previous two months."
Trump remarked: "The economy is THRIVING under 'TRUMP' despite the Fed's antics, particularly with interest rates, which they have slashed twice and significantly right before the Presidential Election," he stated late last year, reiterating his criticisms of Fed chair Jerome Powell, who has consistently disregarded Trump's requests to reduce rates.
This week, the Fed maintained its target rate for the fifth time this year, indicating it needed to evaluate the effects of tariffs and other policies implemented by Trump.
"It's Too Late"—Powell should be sent "out to pasture," Trump said.