 "President Donald Trump. AP")
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will nominate economist EJ Antoni to serve as commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Antoni, currently chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation and a long-time critic of the BLS, would replace Erika McEntarfer, whom Trump dismissed on 1 August after accusing her of manipulating jobs data.
McEntarfer’s removal came just hours after the agency reported weaker-than-expected nonfarm payroll growth for July and sharply revised down job gains previously reported for June and May.
“I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Highly Respected Economist, Dr EJ Antoni, as the next Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday evening.
“Our economy is booming, and EJ will ensure that the numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE,” he added. “I know EJ Antoni will do an incredible job in this new role. Congratulations EJ!”
The nomination requires Senate confirmation before Antoni can formally take charge of the BLS, which operates under the US Department of Labor.
Antoni has been involved with Project 2025, a controversial conservative policy blueprint aimed at advancing Trump’s second-term agenda.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that administration officials had interviewed Antoni for the role and that former White House adviser Steve Bannon had lobbied for his appointment. The paper also noted that Antoni had called for McEntarfer’s removal on Bannon’s podcast following the release of the underwhelming July jobs report.