Donald Trump is calling for a major shake-up at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) following a weak July jobs report that showed sharp declines in hiring momentum. Trump ordered the immediate firing of BLS Director Erika McEntarfer, claiming the numbers were manipulated for political reasons.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY,” adding that she would be replaced with someone “more competent and qualified.”
The latest BLS data revealed the U.S. added only 73,000 jobs in July—a much lower figure than expected. Even more concerning to the administration: previously reported gains for May and June were revised downward by 258,000 jobs combined.
McEntarfer, who was appointed during Joe Biden’s presidency, had led the agency responsible for producing the monthly jobs report. Trump’s move to oust her is a rare direct intervention into the operations of a traditionally independent statistical agency.
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