Trump Appoints New Head of Labor Statistics After Data Controversy

• Trump appointed E. J. Antolini as the new head of BLS.
• Antolini is known for his critical approach to BLS data collection methods.
• Economists express concerns about the quality of his qualifications.

On September 12, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of E. J. Antolini as the new head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This follows the dismissal of Eric McEntarfer, who held the position after the announcement of revised data on employment for July, which were found to be lower than expected.

Trump asserts that the economy is growing, and Antolini will ensure the accuracy and reliability of published data. However, the appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Antolini, who is a leading economist at the conservative analytical center Heritage Foundation, is known for his critical approach to BLS data collection methods. He stated that there are better ways to collect and process data, which is an important task for the new BLS head.

Following the announcement of Antolini's appointment, many economists expressed concerns about the quality of his qualifications. Some believe that his appointment is indicative of the politicization of independent government agencies. For example, economist Jason Furman referred to Antolini as "completely unqualified" for this position.

Antolini has also previously criticized BLS for not adequately reflecting economic realities after the pandemic, particularly through low participation rates in surveys, which dropped from 60% in January 2020 to below 43% in April 2025.

Tags: USA/Politics/Economy