In a significant move that has sparked controversy, President Trump announced E.J. Antoni as the new commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) just one week after the dismissal of the previous head, Erika McEntarfer. This decision comes on the heels of disappointing jobs data that revealed potential weaknesses in the economy. Critics argue that Trump's choice to transform this traditionally nonpartisan agency into a tool of the White House could compromise the reliability of crucial economic data.
The appointment of Antoni has drawn criticism even from some conservative economists. Stan Veuger, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, voiced concerns about Antoni's record as chief economist at the Heritage Foundation. Veuger highlighted that Antoni's analyses often contain fundamental errors and biased conclusions, which could skew his interpretations of economic data. In a conversation with Axios' Courtenay Brown and Emily Peck, he stated, "Antoni's work at Heritage has frequently included elementary errors or nonsensical choices that all bias his findings in the same partisan direction."
Additionally, economist Dave Hebert, affiliated with the American Institute for Economic Research, urged the Senate to reject Antoni's nomination. Hebert criticized Antoni's grasp of basic economic principles, remarking, "I've been on several programs with him at this point and have been impressed by two things: his inability to understand basic economics and the speed with which he's gone MAGA."
Critiques of Antoni's understanding of key labor market data have been mounting. Daniel Di Martino, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, pointed out a specific instance where Antoni failed to recognize the implications of an aging population when discussing the increasing number of Americans not participating in the labor force. Di Martino remarked, "This is one of the many elementary errors that show me Mr. Antoni is unqualified for the labor market data collection and analysis role he was nominated for."
Further criticism came from Jessica Riedl, another senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, who highlighted another apparent misconception regarding the BLS' measurement of import prices, which does not factor in the effects of tariffs. Riedl expressed her disappointment, stating, "The articles and tweets I've seen him publish are probably the most error-filled of any think tank economist right now. I hope we see better at BLS."
The backlash against Antoni's nomination is not limited to conservative economists. Jason Furman, who chaired the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama, took to social media to express his disapproval. He stated, "I don't think I have ever publicly criticized any Presidential nominee before. But E.J. Antoni is completely unqualified to be BLS Commissioner."
Economists have also raised alarms regarding Antoni's suggestion to suspend the jobs report, which they believe could exacerbate perceptions of politicized job market data. Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US, warned, "That would be a serious mistake in my estimation. It would only fuel critiques of a politicization of job market data and likely result in volatility across asset classes."
In defense of Antoni's appointment, Taylor Rogers, a White House spokesperson, stated that the president's choice was aimed at restoring public trust in BLS data, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. Rogers emphasized Antoni's educational background and extensive experience as an economist, arguing that he is well-equipped to produce accurate public data that informs businesses, households, and policymakers alike.
As the economic landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Antoni's nomination as the BLS Commissioner remain to be seen. The Bureau of Labor Statistics plays a critical role in providing reliable economic indicators, and many are watching closely to see how this change in leadership will affect the integrity of labor market data.
Both Antoni and the Heritage Foundation have yet to respond to requests for comment following the announcement.
The backdrop to this appointment is Trump's previous condemnation of the BLS on August 1, where he claimed that an unfavorable jobs report was manipulated. This history raises further questions about the independence of the BLS under Antoni's leadership.
