White House Withdraws Nomination for Labour Statistics Bureau Chief

The White House has withdrawn its nominee to lead the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), a position that has remained vacant since former US President Donald Trump dismissed the previous commissioner over what he deemed disappointing job growth statistics, US media reported on Tuesday.

The Senate has received paperwork formally withdrawing the nomination of E.J. Antoni, a right-wing economist previously affiliated with the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, who frequently expressed support for Trump online.

A White House official praised Antoni on Tuesday evening, according to broadcaster CNN, and indicated that another nominee would be announced shortly.

The independent advocacy group Friends of BLS, co-chaired by former bureau leaders Erica Groshen and Bill Beach, released a statement urging that the next nominee should demonstrate:

• Commitment to gold standard statistics
• Strong management skills
• Excellent economics training
• A proven record of public support for the integrity of BLS products and standards

Antoni had no prior government experience and had repeatedly criticised the bureau’s reporting processes, aligning with Trump’s complaints, the New York Times reported.

Following his nomination, media reports highlighted Antoni’s history of posting “incendiary rhetoric” on social media, including conspiracy theories and misogynistic content, CNN reported. Sources also stated that GOP Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski declined to meet him.

The vacancy arose after Trump alleged that the former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer had manipulated employment data to downplay his administration’s achievements. He repeatedly claimed — without providing evidence — that July’s employment report, which indicated a slowing job market, “was rigged.”

In July, BLS figures revealed job growth at its slowest pace since the Covid-19 pandemic. Hours after the figures were published, Trump ordered McEntarfer’s dismissal, despite White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett later acknowledging that the cooling jobs market was genuine.

Antoni’s failed nomination follows a broader pattern of Trump-era appointments encountering setbacks. For instance, former GOP congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general amid allegations of sexual misconduct.