Heritage Foundation economist tapped for top labor statistics role
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he intends to nominate E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, as the next commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In a Truth Social post, Trump said Antoni would ensure employment and economic data are “honest and accurate.”
The move comes just over a week after Trump abruptly fired former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, hours after the release of a weaker-than-expected July jobs report. Trump claimed, without providing evidence, that the report had been “rigged” to hurt him and the Republican Party. McEntarfer’s dismissal sparked concern among economists about political interference in the nation’s official labor data.
Partisan reactions to the nomination
Antoni, a contributor to the Project 2025 policy framework, has long expressed skepticism about BLS statistics. On Steve Bannon’s podcast shortly before McEntarfer’s removal, Antoni called for her ouster. As Heritage Foundation’s chief economist, he has frequently praised the Trump administration’s economic record, calling June’s pre-revision jobs report a “home run” for the president.
Supporters, such as Rachel Bovard of the Conservative Partnership Institute, describe Antoni as “whip smart” and committed to reforming BLS data practices. Critics, including former Obama adviser Jason Furman, argue Antoni is “completely unqualified” and too partisan for a role historically filled by nonpartisan technocrats.
Concerns over data integrity
Economists warn that politicizing the BLS could undermine trust in U.S. economic indicators, which are considered a global gold standard. Former commissioners noted that the BLS head does not compile job reports but is briefed on them shortly before release. They stressed that revisions to job, GDP, and inflation data are routine and reflect the scale and complexity of economic measurement, not manipulation.
The July report showed the economy adding just 73,000 jobs, with downward revisions to May and June totaling over 200,000 positions. The BLS said slower-than-expected data collection was to blame for the adjustments.
Political and historical context
Past BLS commissioners have often served across political administrations, maintaining continuity and credibility. William Beach, nominated by Trump in 2019, served until 2023, and Keith Hall, appointed by George W. Bush, continued under Barack Obama until 2012. McEntarfer, nominated by President Biden and confirmed with bipartisan Senate support in January 2024, had been in the role for just seven months before her removal.
If confirmed, Antoni would take charge of an agency whose data informs critical policy decisions, financial markets, and global economic assessments, at a time when confidence in statistical independence faces mounting political pressure.
