Bureau of Labor Statistics reassures staff after Trump fires top official amid data concerns

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reassured staff on Monday that operations would proceed normally following the dismissal of a senior official by President Donald Trump, amid concerns over the reliability of recent employment data. Trump dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the agency's chief overseeing employment statistics, after July's jobs report indicated a significant slowdown in hiring and revisions to previous figures. Critics expressed worries that such actions could undermine the credibility of vital economic data. Trump alleged, without evidence, that McEntarfer manipulated reports for political gain. Appointed in 2024 by President Joe Biden for a standard four-year term, McEntarfer issued a message emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the agency's work, highlighting that BLS data influences markets and policy decisions due to its accuracy and timeliness. Despite her departure, Trump continued to criticize the agency publicly, labeling the recent jobs report as "rigged" and suggesting political bias. He also announced plans to appoint a new commissioner soon. The BLS functions independently within the Department of Labor, producing critical nonpartisan dat...