Trump Removes BLS Head McEntarfer Over Job Report Issue

Erika McEntarfer, who served as the Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), was dismissed on August 1, 2025. Her removal came shortly after a July jobs report indicated slower employment growth than expected, along with downward revisions for previous months. The dismissal was ordered by President Donald Trump, who accused McEntarfer of altering data to favor political interests.

McEntarfer has an extensive background in economics, holding a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and experience working at several federal agencies, including the Census Bureau and the Treasury Department. Her research has focused on labor market issues such as job displacement and wage fluctuations.

Her firing has raised concerns among economists and former officials, who worry that this move may damage the objectivity and trustworthiness of the nation’s economic data by introducing political influence into a traditionally impartial agency.