The recent dismissal of Erika McEntarfer, head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), has drawn considerable attention and sparked debate. President Donald Trump defended his decision to terminate McEntarfer’s position, alleging manipulation of employment figures prior to the 2024 presidential election.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump asserted that McEntarfer artificially inflated job creation numbers to present a record increase. He further claimed these figures were subsequently revised downwards by nearly one million positions following the election, which he characterized as “fraud”. He added that McEntarfer oversaw the “largest miscalculations in over 50 years.
The controversial personnel change occurred in the wake of a disappointing July 2025 jobs report, which indicated only 73,000 new jobs – significantly below the anticipated 110,000. The report also included downward revisions to job creation figures for May and June, totaling a reduction of 258,000 positions.
The removal of McEntarfer has elicited strong reactions. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the action, suggesting it represents an escalation toward authoritarian practices. Kevin Hassett, a former BLS director, has also publicly voiced criticism regarding the situation. The incident has prompted broader scrutiny of the BLS’s data collection and reporting processes.