White House Justifies Labor Bureau Shake-Up Amid Concerns Over Data Integrity

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The White House defended President Donald Trump’s recent decision to remove Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, a move that has sparked criticism over the potential politicization of official economic data. Officials argued the firing was justified in light of what they described as serious concerns about the accuracy of recent labor reports.

McEntarfer’s dismissal came shortly after the BLS issued significant downward revisions to job growth figures, reporting 258,000 fewer jobs for May and June than previously estimated. The White House cited this revision as a primary reason for the leadership change. Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, stated on Fox News Sunday that President Trump was “right to call for new leadership,” emphasizing that accuracy in economic data is essential for maintaining public trust.

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also addressed the matter on CBS’ Face the Nation, noting that while data revisions are common, the extent of the recent adjustments raised legitimate questions. “Sometimes you see these revisions go in really extreme ways,” Greer said, highlighting the importance of ensuring the reliability of labor market reports.

President Trump, without providing evidence, accused McEntarfer of falsifying employment data. He pledged to appoint a new BLS commissioner within days. The BLS, which produces widely watched employment and inflation reports, explained that revisions are a normal part of its methodology, based on additional data received from employers after initial estimates.

McEntarfer responded to her termination in a post on Bluesky, calling it “the honor of her life” to lead the BLS and praising the professionalism of the agency’s staff. The controversy has prompted backlash from former officials. William Beach, a former BLS commissioner, told CNN that such accusations risk undermining a respected institution, adding that large revisions are not unusual. “When I was commissioner, we had a 500,000 job revision during President Trump’s first term,” he noted.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers criticized Trump’s claims as unfounded, pointing out on ABC’s This Week that the BLS operates through strict procedures and a large team of nonpartisan professionals.

The BLS collects data monthly from approximately 121,000 employers. Response rates have declined in recent years, from over 80 percent in October 2020 to roughly 67 percent in July 2025, leading to more frequent and sometimes larger revisions.

Despite the criticism, the administration maintains that the leadership change is aimed at restoring confidence in economic data reporting and ensuring greater accountability within federal agencies.