Trump Selects Project 2025 Contributor for Labor Statistics Role
President Donald Trump has appointed E.J. Antoni from the Heritage Foundation to take on the role of commissioner at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, succeeding Erika McEntarfer who was dismissed following a disappointing jobs report.
Antoni, an economist and known contributor to the Heritage Foundation’s contentious Project 2025, has been endorsed by MAGA proponents, including Steve Bannon. His skepticism towards Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data aligns with Trump’s critiques of the agency.
Trump announced on Truth Social, “Our Economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE. I know E.J. Antoni will do an incredible job in this new role.”
McEntarfer, appointed during the Biden administration, faced accusations from Trump of data manipulation after the July jobs report revealed fewer job additions than projected, with significant downward revisions in May and June figures. Her termination was swiftly followed by Antoni’s criticism of her leadership.
Economists have expressed concern over the firing, suggesting it risks undermining trust in U.S. economic data and potentially threatens democratic principles and data integrity. William Beach, former BLS Commissioner appointed by Trump, described the move as “damaging.”
Antoni has argued the BLS needs to rebuild credibility, stating in a recent X post that the agency must consistently deliver accurate and timely data.
Despite Trump’s allegations of data manipulation, Antoni’s critique has centered on the noticeable revisions in job reports and declining survey response rates. He suggested on Bannon’s podcast that initial job numbers might be overly optimistic, only to be corrected later.
Antoni, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from Northern Illinois University, has been involved with Project 2025, a blueprint for restructuring the federal government that has drawn controversy, even distancing Trump at times during his campaign.
Now, Antoni’s confirmation rests in the hands of the Republican-controlled Senate.
The Daily Beast has sought comment from the White House regarding Trump’s nomination.
