Advisor justifies reasons for firing the statistics department head
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, US President Donald Trump announced the firing of Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The decision, defended by Trump's economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, was justified due to concerns about the reliability of the jobs data from the Labor Department.
Hassett, who is also the Director of the National Economic Council, argued that the administration aimed to bring in "highly qualified people" for a "fresh start and a fresh set of eyes on the problem" to ensure the data's transparency and reliability. He further stated that the president "wants his own people there" and was looking for a new permanent commissioner soon.
The firing came after a weak July jobs report and downward revisions to prior months, which President Trump alleged—without evidence—were rigged to make Republicans and himself look bad. The administration's position, as explained by Hassett, focused on concerns about the integrity and trustworthiness of the employment data.
The Labor Department recently revised the number of new jobs down by a total of 258,000 for the period of May and June. Hassett told NBC News that the evidence for the dismissal is the number of revisions made by the BLS.
The head of the BLS, McEntarfer, has no direct influence on the data and cannot see them until they are fully completed. The professional individuals who finished the labor market statistics are not identified in the article, but it is noted that they have worked under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote that Trump's actions are another step towards authoritarianism, comparing it to the Soviet Union's replacement of truth with propaganda. The former head of the BLS, William Beach, has criticized the firing of McEntarfer, describing it as completely unfounded. His criticism creates a concern that this action sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the agency.
Economists explain the revisions as being due to the effects of the US government's aggressive trade policy. Trump's economic adviser, Hassett, stated that these revisions, which he considers to be partisan, could be hard evidence.
The interview about the labor market statistics was conducted by the news portal "Politico". The firing of McEntarfer has sparked much criticism in the US, with critics viewing it as a dangerous precedent that undermines the agency's mission.
Finance Ministers and lawmakers, particularly those from the Democratic party, have raised concerns over the administration's policy-and-legislation regarding the Labor Department and employment policy, as the recent firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Erika McEntarfer, has led to debates in the realm of politics and general news. The finance sector, keen on reliable and transparency in employment data, is closely monitoring the situation, given the ongoing discussions about the administration's plans to appoint new commissioners and the implications it may have on policy decisions.
