Trump's Controversial Firing of BLS Commissioner Sparks Nationwide Outcry
President Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Chief Erika McEntarfer, alleging manipulation of jobs data for political reasons, impacting the integrity of U.S. economic data. Trump's drastic move has drawn criticism from economists and former commissioners concerned about the potential erosion of trust in vital economic statistics.
- Country:
- United States
President Donald Trump on Friday exercised his presidential authority by dismissing Erik McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after a contentious month for U.S. economic reports. Trump's decision came amid claims that job figures were manipulated for political motives, a serious accusation that challenges the credibility of U.S. economic data.
The announcement immediately drew backlash from economists, including former BLS commissioners, warning that such actions could undermine the reliability of federal economic statistics. "This rationale for firing McEntarfer is without merit and undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics," said the Friends of BLS, a group of past commissioners.
Economists and investors now face uncertainty, with the BLS under scrutiny. The revised jobs report indicated sluggish job growth under Trump's administration, amid broader economic challenges. Critics, such as Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, argue that Trump's response was an attempt to shift blame from unfavorable economic news.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News