White House Advisor Supports Leadership Change at BLS Amid Data Concerns

White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett defended President Donald Trump's recent decision to dismiss the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner, citing concerns over the reliability of employment data. In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," Hassett emphasized the need for new leadership at the BLS to restore trust in economic reporting. Trump removed BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, a Biden appointee, following the release of jobs data that he deemed suspicious, citing significant revisions— the largest since 1968— as evidence of the agency's data issues. Hassett agreed that such revisions undermine confidence and stressed that ensuring accurate, transparent employment statistics is a top priority for the administration. He called for enhanced oversight to understand and address the causes of these discrepancies, especially with anticipated revisions in upcoming reports. Additionally, Hassett commented on the potential appointment of the Federal Reserve Chair, indicating openness to succeeding Jerome Powell if asked. While President Trump expressed a desire for Powell to remain through his term, he also mentioned the possibility of replacing him if necessary, cit...