Bulwark Takes Trump’s Disastrous BLS Pick is a Bad Sign for America’s Future
Aug 12, 2025
Jason Furman, a former economist from the Obama administration and current Harvard lecturer, joins to discuss Donald Trump's controversial pick of E.J. Antoni for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They unpack the serious implications of this politically motivated appointment on public trust in economic data. Furman emphasizes risks of distorting key economic indicators like jobs and inflation, which can undermine business confidence. The conversation highlights how governance relies on reliable data, stressing the dangers of prioritizing perception over objective facts.
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Partisan Pick Undermines Credibility
- E.J. Antoni is a partisan pick lacking deep statistical or management credentials at BLS.
- Jason Furman warns this choice signals political capture rather than credibility restoration.
Nomination Sends A Clear Political Message
- Trump publicly demanded honest numbers and then picked someone aligned with his view.
- Hosts and Furman interpret the nomination as a message to ensure data matches the president's declared reality.
BLS Data Is Fed's Steering Instrument
- BLS numbers are the Fed's main monthly signals for jobs and inflation.
- Furman says tampering is hard because career staff and final PDFs protect the data pipeline.