Trump Defends Firing of Labor Statistics Chief with False Claim About 2024 Campaign

Former President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism after firing Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while falsely accusing her of manipulating employment data to benefit Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign.

The decision came shortly after the BLS released a revised jobs report showing that 258,000 fewer jobs were created earlier in the year than previously reported. Speaking from a press conference at the White House, Trump alleged that McEntarfer had “deliberately inflated job numbers to make the Democrats look good,” despite no evidence to support the claim.

“She was involved in a cover-up for Kamala Harris’s failing campaign. We can’t allow partisan hacks to manipulate the data,” Trump said.

However, numerous economists, former BLS officials, and nonpartisan watchdogs immediately pushed back, stating that revisions in employment data are a normal part of the statistical process and that there is no indication of political interference.

Jason Furman, former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, called the accusation “completely unfounded,” adding that “the BLS has long been one of the most professional and independent agencies in government.”

McEntarfer, a respected labor economist with over a decade of experience at the agency, did not respond publicly, but BLS staff issued an internal memo defending her integrity and reaffirming the agency’s commitment to nonpartisan reporting.

The firing has sparked concerns over growing political pressure on traditionally independent institutions under Trump’s leadership. Critics argue that removing a civil servant based on a false political narrative could further erode trust in government data — particularly at a time when inflation, employment, and wage statistics remain central to national policy debates.

“This is a clear attempt to intimidate career professionals who don’t conform to the administration’s narrative,” said Jennifer Daskal, director of the Center for Democracy and Law. “It sends a dangerous message that truth is optional.”

Trump allies have defended the move, saying stronger oversight of federal agencies is needed to ensure “accuracy and accountability.” Some conservative commentators have echoed the claim that government data has been skewed to minimize economic concerns under Democratic leadership — though again, no proof has emerged.

The incident also highlights Trump’s broader campaign strategy as he seeks re-election: discredit unfavorable institutions, challenge accepted facts, and consolidate control over government messaging. In recent weeks, Trump has intensified his criticism of the Federal Reserve, the Congressional Budget Office, and even the National Weather Service, alleging bias without evidence.

For career government employees, the firing of McEntarfer raises fears of a chilling effect on objective data analysis. “We’re worried about being targeted just for doing our jobs,” one anonymous Department of Labor staffer told Politico.

As the 2024 election season intensifies, observers warn that politicizing economic data could damage public confidence and distort voter perceptions. “When facts become flexible, democracy becomes fragile,” said one former BLS commissioner.

With no formal investigation into McEntarfer’s actions and no internal findings of misconduct, the decision appears rooted more in politics than in policy — a move critics say reflects a deepening trend in Trump’s second term.