Erika McEntarfer
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), amid allegations that the latest U.S. jobs report was “rigged.” The move has sparked a wave of attention toward the integrity of official economic data and the independence of federal statistical agencies.
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Who is Erika McEntarfer?
Erika McEntarfer is an experienced labour economist who served as the Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2023 until her removal in August 2025. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Bard College and a doctoral degree in economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and previously held senior roles at the U.S. Census Bureau and the Council of Economic Advisers.
Her research is focused on labour market dynamics and interactions between firms and workers in the economy and has been published in the Journal of Labor Economics, American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, and the Journal of Economic Perspectives. Appointed during the Biden administration, Ms. McEntarfer led the BLS through a period of post-pandemic labour market normalisation and increasing political scrutiny over economic indicators.
Why was she dismissed?
On August 1, 2025, Mr. Trump announced Ms. McEntarfer’s termination, claiming that the July jobs report under her leadership was “manipulated” to downplay economic gains. The BLS report showed an increase of 187,000 jobs for July, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8%. Trump publicly rejected the figures and suggested they were politically motivated.
On Friday morning, the BLS reported that the US economy added just 73,000 jobs in July, well below estimates. It also said it had revised the May and June numbers, and they turned out to be lower than previously announced by more than 200,000 jobs .“We need accurate Jobs Numbers,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY. She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.
What’s the issue with the July 2025 U.S. Jobs Report, and how is it compiled?
The July 2025 U.S. jobs report, released by the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) on August 2, showed a net gain of 187,000 non-farm payroll jobs, while the unemployment rate held steady at 3.8%. The report also noted modest upward revisions for previous months: June’s job growth was revised from 206,000 to 211,000, and May’s from 218,000 to 223,000. Despite the continued job growth, some political figures, including Mr. Trump, criticised the report as “understating” economic strength.
Also Read: The need for the use of labour statistics
The BLS compiles its monthly employment data through two primary instruments. The Establishment Survey (Current Employment Statistics) covers approximately 119,000 businesses and government agencies, representing about 629,000 individual worksites, and is used to estimate payroll employment, hours worked, and earnings.
The Household Survey (Current Population Survey), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, interviews about 60,000 households to assess labour force status, including employment, unemployment, and participation rates. These surveys undergo rigorous verification, statistical weighting, and seasonal adjustment to ensure accuracy.
Following the dismissal of Ms. McEntarfer, the U.S. Department of Labor has not yet announced an interim replacement. The role of Commissioner typically requires Senate confirmation, although an acting head may be appointed temporarily.
Published – August 05, 2025 12:39 pm IST
