ABC Reports White House Refuses to Comment on Controversial Jobs Data Firing

ABC News reported that the Trump administration declined to provide a guest spokesperson to comment on the recent employment data controversy. The situation arose after President Donald Trump dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following the release of a disappointing jobs report. During the program 'This Week,' host George Stephanopoulos explained that ABC had reached out to the White House seeking a response, but their request was refused. Instead, Stephanopoulos interviewed former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers to discuss the implications of the BLS leadership change. Summers criticized the move, comparing it to historical presidential overreach, and emphasized the integrity of the bureau's work, stating that the employment figures are meticulously compiled by large teams following strict procedures, making manipulation highly unlikely. He expressed concern over what he perceives as growing authoritarian tendencies, highlighting recent actions against statisticians, media outlets, universities, and legal institutions. This development underscores tensions between government officials and statistical agencies amid contentious economi...