Commerce Secretary Anticipates More Accurate BLS Employment Data Post-Leadership Change
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed confidence that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will deliver more precise employment figures following President Donald Trump’s recent dismissal of former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. Lutnick’s remarks came shortly before the release of the August jobs report, which revealed a marked slowdown in job growth.
Leadership Shift Amid Controversy
McEntarfer, appointed by former President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2024, was terminated on August 1, mere hours after the BLS released data indicating a significant deceleration in July’s job growth. This change in leadership is viewed by the Trump administration as a corrective measure to address perceived biases within the agency.
August Jobs Report Highlights Weak Labor Market
The latest BLS report showed nonfarm payrolls increased by only 22,000 in August, falling well short of economists’ forecasts of 75,000. Additionally, the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3%, signaling a softer labor market than anticipated.
Claims of Politicization and Future Expectations
On CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Lutnick suggested that previous BLS officials were “rooting against America and against Donald Trump,” implying that the agency’s prior leadership injected political noise into data reporting. He asserted that the agency would now operate with greater integrity and alignment with the administration’s goals.
However, when asked if the Trump administration could vouch for the credibility of forthcoming BLS numbers, President Trump declined to commit, stating, “We’ll see what the number… they come out tomorrow.” He emphasized that the “real numbers” would become evident over the next year, predicting they would be “absolutely incredible.”
