Trump Fires U.S. Labor Statistics Chief After Weak July Jobs Report, Alleging Without Evidence That the Numbers Were “Rigged”

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On Friday, August 1, 2025, President Donald Trump fired Erika McEntarfer, the Senate-confirmed Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), shortly after a much weaker-than-expected July jobs report was released. The report revealed that only 73,000 jobs were added—well below forecasts—and that revisions to May and June slashed a combined 258,000 jobs off earlier estimates. The unemployment rate also ticked up to 4.2%.

Trump took to social media, claiming without any evidence that the numbers were “rigged,” and accused McEntarfer of manipulating the data to benefit Democrats and harm Republicans. He ordered her dismissal via a post on Truth Social.

The move triggered strong backlash from economists, statisticians, and former BLS officials. Critics warned that firing the head of a nonpartisan statistical agency based on dissatisfaction with the data sets a worrisome precedent and threatens the integrity of federal economic reporting.

Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski has stepped in as acting head while the administration considers a permanent replacement. The decision is already raising broad concerns among investors, lawmakers, and experts about whether future economic data can continue to be trusted.