Summary
EJ Antoni, nominated by former President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is facing criticism for his past partisan views and comments on government data. Critics are concerned that his appointment could impact the perceived neutrality of the agency responsible for important economic data. Antoni has previously spoken against the accuracy of government job data and suggested altering the way it is reported.
Key Facts
- EJ Antoni is nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- The BLS publishes data on jobs and inflation in the U.S.
- Antoni was the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
- Critics worry Antoni's nomination could make the BLS appear less neutral and reliable.
- Antoni has publicly criticized government economic data accuracy.
- He suggested that the Labor Department stop monthly job reports and rely on quarterly data.
- Trump dismissed the previous BLS chair, Erika McEntarfer, after accusing the agency's recent data of being politically manipulated.
- The monthly job reports from the BLS are closely watched and can influence stock market movements.
