President Donald Trump announced on Monday, August 11, 2025, his intention to nominate E.J. Antoni, a conservative economist and vocal critic of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to serve as the agency’s next commissioner. The move comes just ten days after the president fired the previous commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, following the release of a disappointing July jobs report, sparking a debate over the independence and integrity of the nation’s key economic data agency.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump described Antoni as a “Highly Respected Economist” and stated, “E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE.” The nomination follows Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that the July jobs data, which showed a sharp slowdown in hiring, was “RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”
The controversy began on August 1, when the BLS reported that the U.S. economy had added only 73,000 jobs in July. The agency also issued a steep downward revision for May and June, cutting a combined 258,000 jobs from previous estimates. Hours later, Trump ordered McEntarfer’s termination.
Who is the Nominee?
Dr. E.J. Antoni is the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, and a contributor to the Project 2025 policy initiative. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in economics and has been a frequent critic of the BLS’s methodologies. According to CBS News, Antoni has previously called the agency’s health insurance figures “phoney baloney” and joked that “the ‘L’ is silent” in the BLS acronym. Shortly before McEntarfer’s dismissal, Antoni appeared on Steve Bannon’s podcast and called for her to be fired, as reported by NBC News.
Concerns Over Political Independence
The nomination has drawn sharp criticism from economists and former government officials who fear it represents a dangerous politicization of a traditionally non-partisan institution. The BLS produces data on employment, inflation, and other economic indicators that are considered a global gold standard and are crucial for financial markets, businesses, and policymakers.
Jason Furman, who served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, called Antoni “completely unqualified” and an “extreme partisan” who lacks relevant experience. “He would be a break from decades of nonpartisan technocrats,” Furman stated in a post on X.
Historically, BLS commissioners have often served across presidential administrations of different parties to safeguard the agency’s independence. McEntarfer, a Biden appointee, was confirmed by the Senate in January 2024 with broad bipartisan support in an 86-8 vote. Her firing and the subsequent nomination of a known critic have led a group of former BLS leaders to warn that the move “undermines the valuable work and dedication of BLS staff” and escalates attacks on the federal statistical system. They have called on Congress to investigate the firing.
Administration officials have defended the president’s decision. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “a fresh set of eyes” is needed at the BLS and that “the president wants his own people there so that when we see the numbers they’re more transparent and more reliable.”
Antoni’s nomination will require confirmation by the Senate. The agency is currently being led by acting Commissioner William Watrowski, a decades-long veteran of the bureau. The outcome of the confirmation process will be closely watched as a signal of the future direction and perceived credibility of U.S. economic data.
