If you Don’t Like the Answer, Ask a Different Question

The New York Times reported late today President Trump did NOT like the results of national job losses and weak growth reflected in the numbers released this afternoon by the Bureau of Labor.

President Trump unleashed his fury about the weakness in the labor market on Friday. The President’s reaction was typical, over-the-top, claiming without evidence and any reality checks, that the Bureau of Labor data were “rigged”…

Trump instructed his minions to fire the Senate-confirmed Department of Labor official Erika McEntarfer and Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who is responsible for reporting on national job results and changes reflected in new hires and job losses.

Erika McEntarfer is an American labor economist who served as the 16th Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  She has over 20 years of experience as a professional economist in several key federal government roles, primarily at the U.S. Census Bureau, as well as at the Department of Treasury and the White House Council of Economic Advisors

McEntarfer academic credentials are impeccable, and include a bachelor’s degree in social science from Bard College and a Ph.D. in Economics from Virginia Tech.

At the Census Bureau, she led research initiatives for the Longitudinal Employer–Household Dynamics program, which produces cutting-edge workforce statistics.

In the White House, she played a crucial role advising officials on labor market trends and recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her research covers topics such as job loss, wage rigidity, and interactions between employers and workers, and she has published in several leading economics journals — in short, unlike Trump’s appointments in key Federal agency positions, and rubber stamped by the Congressional Republican Party majority in both legislative chambers, Erika McEntarfer was highly qualified for her job, and in her service to the nation.

In a long post on social media this afternoon, Mr. Trump said he had directed (his team) to fire Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was confirmed on a bipartisan basis in 2024.   Emily Liddel, an associate commissioner for the bureau, wa confirmed late Friday to replace Dr. McEntarfer …who had been fired.