The Journal. Trump vs. the Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Aug 4, 2025 
Matt Grossman, a WSJ reporter specializing in business and financial news, dives into the controversy surrounding the Bureau of Labor Statistics after President Trump fired its commissioner. He discusses the shockingly low job growth numbers and the implications for economic statistics. Grossman explores Erika McEntarfer's impressive leadership at the bureau and addresses concerns about data integrity amid accusations of political manipulation. The conversation reveals the challenges faced by the agency, including operational issues and rising costs.
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BLS's Trusted Impartiality
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics has been trusted as a nonpartisan and impartial agency for decades.
- Allegations of political bias or rigging in its data are very unusual and surprising to experts.
How Jobs Report Data Works
- The monthly jobs report combines two surveys: payrolls from businesses and unemployment from households.
- These combined data offer a comprehensive view of job creation and the unemployment rate in the economy.
Erica McIntarfer's Career Path
- Erica McIntarfer had a long career in economic statistics, starting in 2002 and working at the Census Bureau.
- She was nominated by President Biden and confirmed overwhelmingly to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024.