Former BLS Commissioner Denies Faking Job Data Amid Political Allegations

William Beach, a former commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics appointed during Donald Trump's presidency, dismissed claims that the agency manipulated employment data. Following President Trump's recent accusations of falsified job numbers to undermine his administration, Beach clarified that such allegations are unfounded. He explained that the BLS commissioner’s role is largely administrative, with no involvement in data collection or processing. The actual compilation of employment figures occurs before the commissioner reviews them, making any suggestion of interference implausible. Beach highlighted that the recent revisions to May and June's employment data are standard practice in survey-based reporting, reflecting ongoing adjustments rather than misconduct. He criticized the president’s firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, appointed by President Joe Biden earlier this year, emphasizing that the move damages the credibility of the statistical system and could lead to public distrust in official economic data. The controversy underscores tensions surrounding economic data transparency and political influence, with experts warning of long-term impac...