E.J. Antoni, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), was present outside the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection, according to newly surfaced footage. The White House maintains that Antoni was merely a bystander who observed the events from a distance.
NBC News Justice Reporter Ryan Reilly reported that archived video footage from the social media platform Parler, released by a Republican-led congressional subcommittee, shows Antoni among the crowd near the Capitol shortly before rioters breached police barricades. The footage also captures him walking away as the situation escalated.
Antoni, a former economist at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and current chief economist at The Heritage Foundation, has been a vocal critic of the BLS. He has previously referred to the agency’s reports as a “random number generator” and suggested suspending the monthly jobs report, a move that would be legally questionable.
The White House has defended Antoni’s presence at the Capitol, stating that he was in Washington for meetings with his then-employer and was not involved in any unlawful activity.
However, Antoni’s nomination has drawn criticism from various quarters. Some economists and former BLS officials have expressed concerns about his qualifications and potential bias, given his history of disparaging the agency and his controversial views on economic data.
The Senate is expected to hold hearings to assess Antoni’s suitability for the role. His confirmation could have significant implications for the credibility and independence of the BLS, an agency responsible for providing key economic indicators such as employment and inflation data.
