Trump Fires Jobs Report Chief After Disappointing Numbers
President Donald Trump fired the head of the U.S. jobs data agency on Friday, just hours after a report showed hiring slowed sharply in July.
Trump accused Erika McEntarfer, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner, of being a political appointee who “faked” jobs numbers to help Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We need accurate jobs numbers,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have ordered her immediate firing. She will be replaced with someone better.”
The BLS confirmed McEntarfer was removed. A deputy will take over temporarily.
Why This Matters
Earlier Friday, the BLS reported:
- Only 73,000 jobs added in July (far below expectations)
- 258,000 fewer jobs counted in May/June after revisions
- Weakest 3-month hiring stretch since COVID’s early days
Markets reacted badly:
- Dow Jones dropped 500+ points
- Nasdaq fell over 2%
Trump’s Long Fight With Jobs Data
Trump has often criticized the BLS for big revisions. Last year, the agency cut 818,000 jobs from earlier reports.
His 2025 budget proposed cutting 8% of BLS staff, raising concerns about future data accuracy.
Backlash Over Firing
Even some Trump allies criticized the move:
- Former BLS chief William Beach called it “dangerous” and “groundless”
- Financial experts warned against punishing officials for bad economic news
Fed Also in Trump’s Crosshairs
Trump repeatedly attacked Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of:
- Playing “games” with interest rates
- Trying to help Harris by cutting rates before the election
The Fed has kept rates steady since December but may cut them in September.
Key Takeaway
This marks the first time a president has fired a top economic stats official over unfavorable data—a move that could shake confidence in government reports.
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