Trump Picks New Leader for U.S. Jobs Agency
Former President Donald Trump has chosen E.J. Antoni, a top economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This agency tracks important numbers like how many people are working and how much prices are rising.
Trump made this decision just 10 days after firing the previous leader, Erika McEntarfer. He claimed—without proof—that she had changed job numbers to make the economy look worse.
Antoni has often criticized how the BLS updates its data. Trump said on his social media site, Truth Social, that Antoni will make sure the numbers are “honest and accurate.” But before Antoni can take the job, the Senate must approve him.
McEntarfer had been confirmed by the Senate in 2024 with strong support. She was removed after the July jobs report showed hiring had slowed down, and earlier job numbers were lowered by 258,000. Trump said this was proof the numbers were “rigged.”
Some economists and lawmakers are worried that putting a political supporter in charge of the BLS could hurt trust in U.S. economic data, which is respected around the world. But others, like Trump ally Steve Bannon, say Antoni will help fix the system.
If Antoni is confirmed, he’ll be in charge of releasing key reports that affect decisions by the Federal Reserve, businesses, and everyday families.
