Trump's Terms Former head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics discusses future of U.S. labor data
Sep 8, 2025
Tune in for insights from Erica Groshen, former head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as she discusses the integrity of U.S. labor data amidst political shifts. She highlights how changes in leadership affect data credibility and internal morale. The conversation also critiques the agency's outdated data collection methods, emphasizing the need for modernization amid declining survey responses. It's a deep dive into the intersection of politics and data that shapes America's economic narrative.
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Numbers Still Trustworthy Now
- Erica Groshen says the recent jobs report is trustworthy despite the commissioner's firing.
- She warns the firing damaged public trust and could threaten future data credibility.
Acting Commissioner Is A BLS Lifer
- Erica Groshen notes Bill Wiatrowski is acting commissioner and a long-time BLS civil servant.
- She mentions she appointed him as deputy, underscoring his career credibility.
Firing Hurts Trust Even If Data Is Fine
- Groshen believes the firing hasn't yet politicized BLS numbers but could in the future.
- She emphasizes the firing harmed public confidence regardless of actual data integrity.