Trump Fires Top Statistician After Weak Jobs Report

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President Donald Trump has dismissed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following the release of weaker-than-expected U.S. employment data, sparking concerns about political interference in federal economic reporting.

The Bureau’s July report showed that the U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs, falling well short of market forecasts and raising fresh questions about the nation’s post-pandemic recovery. The figure represents one of the smallest monthly gains in over a year and prompted immediate reaction from financial markets.

Erika McEntarfer, a career economist who had led the BLS since 2021, was removed from her post the same day the data was published. No official explanation was given. However, Trump accused the agency of publishing “rigged” numbers designed to damage his political image, insisting the economy was “booming” under his leadership. He did not provide evidence to support his claims.

Financial analysts expressed concern over the abrupt removal, noting that the BLS has long been viewed as a nonpartisan agency critical to maintaining investor confidence. “The credibility of U.S. labor data is vital to both policymakers and markets,” said one economist from a New York-based investment firm.

The jobs report had already triggered market unease. U.S. stocks dipped slightly in early August trading, while bond yields dropped as investors reassessed the Federal Reserve’s path on interest rates. Slower job growth could influence upcoming Fed decisions on inflation and borrowing costs.

Republican lawmakers voiced mixed reactions. While some defended Trump’s leadership over the economy, others cautioned against undermining the institutional integrity of federal agencies responsible for economic data. “Transparency and independence are key to public trust in the numbers we rely on,” one senator said.

The situation has placed renewed focus on the importance of statistical accuracy and political neutrality in federal economic reporting. With the 2026 midterms approaching, the role of data in shaping public perception of the economy is likely to remain under the spotlight.

Markets will closely watch the next round of employment figures for signs of whether July’s numbers reflect a one-off slowdown or the start of a broader cooling trend in the labor market.