Ex-Obama Adviser Warns Trump’s Actions Exceed Nixon’s, Threatening Democratic Norms After BLS Head Firing

Former Obama economic advisor Larry Summers criticized President Donald Trump's decision to dismiss the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) following disappointing employment data, asserting that Trump's actions surpass even those of Richard Nixon in severity. Summers expressed concern that such measures could signal a slide toward authoritarian governance. During an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week, Summers recalled Nixon's 1973 removal of a Watergate investigation prosecutor, which led to the "Saturday Night Massacre," and suggested that Trump's firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer echoes this troubling precedent. The controversy arose after the July jobs report showed only 73,000 new positions added, with revisions indicating fewer jobs in previous months. Trump criticized McEntarfer, accusing her of manipulating the data, and promptly ordered her dismissal, vowing to replace her with a more qualified individual. He emphasized the importance of accurate employment figures, asserting they should not be politically manipulated. Summers dismissed the president's claims as unfounded, highlighting that the BLS strictly adheres to established ...