Trump Administration Defends Firing of Labor Stats Chief Amid Economic Turmoil

Following a week of disappointing job growth and economic data, the Trump administration is under fire for dismissing Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. Officials defended the move, saying the president had “real concerns” about job figures and reserved the right to appoint individuals who align with his vision for economic management.
The U.S. economy added just 73,000 jobs in July—far below expectations—and downward revisions for previous months totaled 285,000. The administration’s explanation focused on the accuracy and consistency of labor data. “You want reliable numbers,” said Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, backing Trump’s decision to replace McEntarfer.
Critics, however, argue that the firing undermines confidence in the independence and credibility of U.S. economic data. Former officials and economists warned that politicizing federal agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics could erode public trust in official statistics and data-driven governance.
This controversy unfolds alongside the implementation of new tariffs, which economists warn may dampen growth. Administration officials insist the new tariff rates are “locked in,” despite previous delays and ongoing criticism from Wall Street and global partners.
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called the firing “beyond anything Nixon ever did,” linking it to a broader pattern of pressure on independent institutions. He said the move signals a dangerous drift toward authoritarianism, warning that dismissing statisticians and threatening public institutions sets a troubling precedent.