

Can We Still Trust U.S. Economic Data?
Aug 4, 2025
Join Ben Casselman, Chief Economics Correspondent at The New York Times, and Tara Sinclair, Chair of the Economics Department at George Washington University, as they dissect the alarming revisions in U.S. job statistics. They delve into potential political interference at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, exploring how trust in economic data shapes growth and decision-making. The conversation also highlights the dangers of data manipulation, drawing parallels with economic crises in Argentina and Greece, and underscores the need for integrity in federal statistics.
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Political Pressure Threatens Data Integrity
- The firing of the BLS commissioner raises serious concerns about political pressure on U.S. economic data.
- Career civil servants and established methodologies provide some reassurance against immediate manipulation.
Increased Skepticism Towards Data Needed
- There was no prior evidence of political meddling in economic data despite longstanding concerns about funding.
- Now, given recent events, skepticism about data accuracy is more warranted than before.
Civil Servants Resist Political Pressure
- William Wiatrowski, the acting BLS director, expressed that civil servants would quit if pressured to compromise data quality.
- His presence currently offers hope for maintaining integrity despite political changes.