Suspended? Trump’s BLS Nominee Proposes Halting Monthly Jobs Report
Suspended? Trump’s BLS Nominee Proposes Halting Monthly Jobs Report
A Bold Proposal with Global Repercussions
E.J. Antoni, President Donald Trump’s choice for the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), has ignited debate across domestic and international economic circles by suggesting the possible suspension of the iconic monthly jobs report. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Antoni argued that the report, one of the most closely watched barometers of the U.S. labor market, has become unreliable due to frequent and substantial revisions. Instead, he proposed relying temporarily on more accurate—but less timely—quarterly data PoliticoNewsweekCNBC.
Why This Matters to the World
While this might appear to be a domestic policy matter, it carries global weight. The U.S. jobs report informs decisions not just in Washington and Wall Street but also shapes policy choices across foreign central banks, multinational corporations, and international investors. Any interruption in its release sends ripples through global financial markets.
Antoni’s Argument: Accuracy Over Frequency
Antoni, chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation and a prominent architect behind Project 2025, framed his suggestion within a broader push for data integrity. He said the BLS should “suspend issuing the monthly job reports” until it can correct the flaws that lead to large revisions NewsweekCNBCPolitico. He emphasized:
“Major decision‑makers from Wall Street to D.C. rely on these numbers, and a lack of confidence in the data has far‑reaching consequences.” NewsweekCNBC
Antoni clarified that he does not believe the agency intentionally manipulated data—a claim Trump has made without evidence—but attributes the issues to declining survey response rates and outdated statistical models, particularly in the wake of COVID‑19 disruptions PoliticoNewsweekAP News.
Trump's Swift Firing and Antoni’s Nomination
Antoni’s remarks followed the abrupt dismissal of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. Trump fired McEntarfer shortly after the July jobs report showed weaker-than-expected job growth, along with dramatic revisions to May and June figures totaling a combined loss of 258,000 jobs. Trump labeled it a politically motivated “scam” but offered no evidence The Washington PostPoliticoAP News.
Those revisions, while alarming, fall within the historical range: The BLS reports that pre‑2003 average monthly revisions were roughly 61,000 jobs; since then, they have averaged about 51,000 News Channel NebraskaWENY News.
Reaction: Alarm from Across the Spectrum
Economists and financial veterans responded with concern. Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, called suspending the report a “serious unforced error” that could drive users to private data providers and spark market volatility The Washington Post. Similarly, media outlets and analysts warned that the move would compromise transparency and weaken regulatory insight during economic inflection points Business InsiderThe Daily BeastPolitico.
Wall Street Journal, Axios, and others reported internal discussions about revamping data collection methods—such as leveraging modern technologies and boosting survey response rates—rather than halting monthly updates entirely Wall Street JournalAxios.
Former BLS commissioners, like William Beach, emphasized the legality and importance of the monthly report. It's one of seven principal federal economic indicators mandated by law. Shutting it down, he warned, would trigger a global “howl” from investors and institutions that rely on it News Channel NebraskaWall Street Journal.
Around the Globe: Why Monthly Jobs Data Matters
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Policy and Banking
Central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, rely on current job data to steer interest rates and monetary policy. -
Financial Markets
U.S. employment figures drive immediate reactions in equities, bonds, currencies, and commodities—not just domestically but globally Business Standard+1Business Insider. -
Business Planning
Companies worldwide use U.S. labor trends to gauge consumer demand, production schedules, and expansion strategies. -
Emerging Economies
Countries closely tied to U.S. supply chains or financial flows depend on accurate American data for their macroeconomic baselines.
Data Collection: Why Revisions Are the Norm
Monthly estimates are based on incomplete early responses—typically from larger firms—and are updated as smaller businesses and households report in. Especially in post‑pandemic conditions, response rates have dropped, increasing revisions WENY News. One former BLS official summarized it: “Revisions are not a bug, they’re a feature.” WENY News.
Antoni’s Rift: Expertise and Integrity in Question
Antoni, who holds a PhD in economics from Northern Illinois University (earned in 2020), lacks a track record in labor economics or statistical methodology—key qualifications for the BLS role WikipediaAP News. Critics, including Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute, say his work is "partisan, tribal, and misleading," deeming him unfit to oversee unbiased economic measurement The Washington PostAP News.
Even Trump-aligned advisors, such as Stephen Moore, have counseled against halting the monthly report, noting that it should continue even as the agency refines its methods News Channel Nebraska.
What’s Next: Confirmation and Reform
Antoni must undergo Senate confirmation, where Republicans and Democrats alike have raised objections. Senator Bill Cassidy (R‑Louisiana), his committee's chair, affirmed the need for accurate, unbiased data, and promised scrutiny in Antoni’s hearing. Senator Patty Murray (D‑Washington) harshly called Antoni “an unqualified right‑wing extremist” and warned that his leadership could turn BLS data into fantasy The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, the White House reassured that monthly reports will continue, even as they explore data modernization strategies The Washington PostWall Street JournalPolitico.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Timeliness and Trust
For nations worldwide, the integrity of U.S. statistical agencies matters. Trading partners, policy collaborators, multilateral institutions, and international businesses depend on the timeliness, consistency, and objectivity of America's economic reports.
Suspending monthly reporting—even temporarily—could:
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Erode global confidence in U.S. data integrity.
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Hinder responsive policymaking during economic shifts.
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Encourage reliance on private, less standardized data sources—undermining comparability.
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Cast doubt on the independence of institutions traditionally insulated from politics.
That said, Antoni’s focus on improving methodology and survey quality raises a valid point. The challenge lies in pursuing enhancements without sacrificing trust or delaying the data flow.
In Summary
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E.J. Antoni, Trump’s Heritage Foundation–aligned nominee for BLS commissioner, proposed halting monthly jobs reports in favor of more reliable quarterly data.
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Revisions in jobs data—while sometimes dramatic—are routine and reflect incomplete early information, especially amid declining response rates.
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Critics, from economists to former BLS officials, warn that pausing monthly updates would damage policymaking, markets, and transparency.
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Legal and procedural barriers make suspension politically and practically untenable; modernizing methods is widely viewed as the better path.
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Stakeholders globally are watching as Antoni’s confirmation process unfolds, with implications for trust in American economic reporting.
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