E.J. Antoni Nomination to Head Labor Statistics Agency Draws Bipartisan Concern

Published Time: 08-13-2025, 16:45

President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — the federal agency responsible for reporting U.S. jobs and inflation data — has sparked significant criticism from economists across the political spectrum.

The nominee, E.J. Antoni, currently serves as chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation. Critics warn his appointment could risk politicizing an agency long regarded as a neutral source of economic information, even if safeguards limit any direct manipulation of data.

Longstanding Neutrality of the BLS

Historically, the BLS commissioner has been a low-profile figure with deep experience in statistical analysis and public data reporting. The agency’s mission is to produce accurate, impartial economic indicators, including the monthly jobs report and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Many former Labor Department officials say it is unlikely Antoni could alter official statistics, especially in the short term. However, they note he could influence how the data is presented to the public, potentially changing the tone and interpretation of official releases.

Nomination Follows Disputed Jobs Report

Trump nominated Antoni shortly after the BLS released an August 1 report showing hiring slowed in July, with earlier figures for May and June revised downward. Without offering evidence, Trump claimed the data was “rigged” for political purposes and dismissed the previous commissioner, Erika McEntarfer — a move that drew criticism from within the agency.

Antoni has been an outspoken critic of federal employment data, frequently appearing on podcasts and television to argue that the monthly jobs reports are unreliable. On August 4, just days before his nomination, he told Fox News Digital that the Labor Department should pause monthly reporting in favor of quarterly updates based on unemployment insurance filings.

Press Secretary Defends Appointment

At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Antoni an “economic expert” who has testified before Congress and said the president trusts him to lead the department.

“I believe that is the plan and that’s the hope,” Leavitt said, when asked whether monthly jobs reports would continue under Antoni’s leadership.

Critics Cite Partisan Commentary and Past Claims

Several economists argue that Antoni’s public record suggests a partisan approach rather than a balanced, data-driven perspective.

Brian Albrecht, chief economist at the International Center for Law and Economics, said:

“There’s nothing in his writing or his résumé to suggest that he’s qualified for the position, besides that he is always manipulating the data to favor Trump in some way.”

Over the past year, Antoni has made several disputed claims, including stating that the U.S. economy had been in recession since 2022 and predicting inflation could rise to 15%. He has also called for firing the entire Federal Reserve board and suggested ending Social Security benefits for future contributors — a position critics say would affect programs tied to CPI adjustments, which the BLS manages.

Flaws in Jobs Data and Modernization Efforts

While many economists share concerns that the government’s jobs data faces challenges, such as declining survey response rates, they say the solution lies in modernizing methods rather than halting reports.

Katharine Abraham, former BLS commissioner under President Bill Clinton, said improvements could include using payroll processor data and combining it with targeted surveys. However, she noted such updates require adequate funding, which has been threatened by budget cut proposals.

“There’s an inconsistency between saying you want higher response rates and you want to spend less money,” Abraham said.

Limits on Political Influence

Former BLS Commissioner William Beach, who served under both Trump and Biden, emphasized that the agency’s procedures make it difficult for any commissioner to manipulate data.

“The commissioner does not affect the numbers. They don’t collect the data. They don’t massage the data. They don’t organize it,” Beach explained, noting that even he did not see final figures until two days before publication.

Beach said the possibility of altering the data was “close to zero.” Still, commissioners can influence how results are framed in public releases, potentially shaping the narrative without changing the numbers themselves.

Political Outlook for Confirmation

Antoni’s nomination is expected to face resistance in the Senate, particularly from Democrats. Senator Patty Murray of Washington called him “an unqualified right-wing extremist” and urged the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to hold a confirmation hearing.

It took six months for McEntarfer’s nomination to be approved in 2023, and observers expect Antoni’s process to be equally contentious. While Democratic opposition is strong, it remains unclear if it will be enough to block his confirmation.

Broader Stakes

The controversy over Antoni’s nomination reflects wider political tensions over the credibility of economic data. The BLS plays a central role in informing monetary policy, financial markets, and government programs, making its independence vital to public trust.

The Senate’s decision on Antoni will signal how much influence partisanship will have over an agency historically shielded from political disputes. Economists warn that even perceived bias could undermine confidence in key indicators used to guide investments, wage negotiations, and policy decisions.