The Trump administration’s removal of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer has drawn sharp criticism from former agency leaders and economic organizations who argue the action undermines the independence of federal statistical agencies.
Trump dismissed McEntarfer without providing evidence to support claims that she fabricated employment data to benefit Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. The administration has characterized recent job growth statistics as “rigged” against Republican interests. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, offered a broader justification by suggesting resistance to Trump exists throughout the federal government.
Friends of BLS, a group led by former commissioners Erica Groshen and William Beach, issued a statement asserting that the firing lacked merit and endangered the credibility of economic data relied upon by businesses, families, and policymakers. Beach, who served as commissioner during Trump’s first term and left office in 2023, called the dismissal “groundless” and warned it established a troubling precedent. The Association of Public Data Users, National Association for Business Economics, and American Economic Association similarly opposed the firing, noting that statutory law does not permit removal based on dislike of data collected according to scientific standards.
Former BLS Commissioner Kathleen Utgoff, who served under George W. Bush, emphasized that democracies depend on accurate economic data for sound decision-making by workers, businesses, and voters. Republican senators Rand Paul, Thom Tillis, and Cynthia Lummis also expressed concern about the justification for McEntarfer’s removal.
The July jobs report that prompted the firing showed employment growth had slowed during the summer months. In October 2024, the final jobs report before the presidential election indicated the nation added 12,000 jobs, marking the slowest growth since 2020.
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