President Donald Trump just shook up the Bureau of Labor Statistics with a bold move.
The Daily Caller reported that on Monday, Trump announced via Truth Social the nomination of Dr. E.J. Antoni as the new BLS commissioner, replacing Erika McEntarfer, who was sacked earlier that month.
This decision follows Trump’s sharp criticism of the agency’s job data accuracy. Antoni, a conservative economist, is now tasked with restoring trust in the numbers.
Trump’s dissatisfaction with the BLS began with its July 2025 report, which showed a mere 73,000 nonfarm payroll jobs added.
That figure came on the heels of downward revisions slashing 258,000 jobs from May and June reports. Such revisions aren’t new—2024 saw a whopping 818,000-job cut in a benchmark revision, one of the largest ever.
Dr. E.J. Antoni, the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist, isn’t one to mince words. He once called BLS reports a “random number generator” on his X account back in May 2025. His nomination signals a push for clarity in a sea of questionable data.
Trump’s announcement was clear: “I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Highly Respected Economist, Dr. E.J. Antoni, as the next Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” The president believes Antoni will deliver “honest and accurate” numbers. That’s a tall order for an agency under fire.
The White House didn’t hold back in its critique of McEntarfer’s tenure. A press release slammed her for a “lengthy history of inaccuracies and incompetence.” It argued her leadership eroded public trust in an agency critical for policymakers and businesses.
McEntarfer’s firing on August 1, 2025, set the stage for this overhaul. Trump accused her of manipulating job numbers to favor political narratives, a charge that resonates with his base. The timing of her dismissal suggests a calculated move to reset the BLS’s direction.
Antoni’s appointment isn’t just a personnel swap; it’s a statement. His conservative credentials and vocal skepticism of past BLS data align with Trump’s broader agenda to challenge entrenched bureaucracies. Yet, the pressure’s on—can he deliver?
The July jobs report sparked this firestorm, with its paltry 73,000-job gain raising eyebrows. Coupled with massive revisions to earlier months, it painted a picture of an economy less robust than advertised. Businesses and investors rely on this data, and fumbles here hit hard.
Antoni’s past quip about the BLS acting like a “random number generator” cuts deep. It reflects a broader frustration with government data that seems to shift with the political winds. His challenge now is to make those numbers mean something again.
Trump’s Truth Social post doubled down on optimism: “Our Economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE.” But booming? That’s a stretch when July’s job growth barely registered.
The White House press release laid bare the stakes, noting that McEntarfer’s missteps undermined trust in data used for “consequential decisions.” Policymakers need reliable stats to steer the economy. Antoni’s job is to stop the guesswork.
Antoni’s conservative roots at the Heritage Foundation give him street cred with Trump’s supporters. His prior critiques of BLS data suggest he’s not afraid to call out nonsense. But turning skepticism into solutions is the real test.
Trump’s press conference on Monday, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room wasn’t just about jobs. He wove in remarks on crime statistics, showing his knack for blending issues to rally his base. The BLS pick, though, stole the spotlight.
Congratulating Antoni, Trump declared, “I know E.J. Antoni will do an incredible job in this new role.” The jury’s out on whether Antoni can clean up the BLS’s mess. One thing’s certain: all eyes are on him.
