Washington( The COW News Digital)U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Dr. E.J. Antoni as the new commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a move the White House says is aimed at ensuring the integrity and transparency of national economic data.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the administration emphasized that Dr. Antoni’s mandate will be to provide “accurate, impartial, and fact-based reporting” on the state of the U.S. economy. President Trump praised the appointment, saying Antoni would bring “hard work, honesty, and objectivity” to the role, ensuring that official statistics reflect the true economic realities faced by Americans.
“The government needs reporting that mirrors the facts on the ground,” Trump said. “We must ensure that economic data is free from bias and fully representative of our nation’s performance.”
The appointment follows the sudden removal of the previous BLS commissioner earlier this year. That official was dismissed after releasing monthly employment figures that painted a negative picture of job growth, prompting the administration to label the report “misleading” and “damaging to economic confidence.” The decision at the time sparked political debate over whether the White House was interfering in the independence of statistical reporting.
Dr. Antoni, an economist known for his conservative policy views, has previously advised on fiscal matters and labor market trends. Supporters of his appointment argue that he brings a fresh perspective and a strong commitment to statistical accuracy, while critics express concern that the role could be politicized ahead of the next economic reporting cycles.
The BLS plays a critical role in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating key labor market data, including unemployment rates, job creation figures, and wage growth statistics. These numbers are closely watched by policymakers, businesses, and financial markets, making the commissioner’s role both highly influential and politically sensitive.
White House officials have assured that Antoni’s leadership will prioritize methodological rigor and transparency, with all reports to be publicly available and open to scrutiny. They also reaffirmed that the administration values the independence of the Bureau, despite recent controversies.
Dr. Antoni is expected to take up his new position immediately and will oversee upcoming monthly jobs reports—data that will likely be closely examined amid the administration’s broader economic agenda.
