Lawrence Summers Criticizes BLS Chief’s Dismissal as Threat to Democracy and Economic Stability

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers expressed shock over the dismissal of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), criticizing the incident as unprecedented and comparable to Nixon-era abuses. Summers emphasized that the BLS data are meticulously compiled by extensive teams following strict protocols, making manipulation highly unlikely. He warned that such actions threaten democratic institutions, likening them to authoritarian tactics like silencing media and attacking academic and legal institutions. Summers also highlighted the broader implications, noting that undermining the rule of law can lead to increased market uncertainty, reduced investment, slower economic growth, and heightened inflationary pressures.