The Wall Street Journal editorial board has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for what it described as political interference in the nation’s official employment statistics.
The Rupert Murdoch–owned paper took aim at Trump’s decision to appoint E.J. Antoni, a senior economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Antoni replaces Erika McEntarfer, who was dismissed after the release of a jobs report showing “the worst three months of job growth since the coronavirus pandemic.” Trump claimed—without presenting evidence—that the figures were deliberately manipulated to damage him politically.
The editorial noted that Antoni’s record of “highly partisan” commentary contrasts with the nonpartisan objectivity expected of the BLS director. It warned that politicizing economic data could erode public and market confidence, comparing the risk to the distrust many hold toward China’s state-reported statistics. “Mr. Antoni will have to take off his MAGA hat if he wants to ensure that the public and markets can trust BLS data,” the board wrote.
The controversy intensified when it emerged that Antoni had recently suggested eliminating the agency’s monthly employment estimates in favor of quarterly reports, which are considered more accurate but less timely. Although Antoni has since appeared to soften that position, critics fear the proposal signals a willingness to limit transparency in labor reporting.
The BLS, which routinely revises its figures as more employer data is collected, plays a critical role in tracking employment trends and informing economic policy. Trump, in announcing his nominee, insisted, “E.J. will ensure that the numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE.”
