Trump Orders Dismissal of BLS Commissioner
President Trump instructed his administration to dismiss the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shortly after the agency published a report indicating an increase in the unemployment rate.
Erica Mantelfer, the current BLS commissioner appointed by former President Biden, drew Trump’s ire after revising employment figures for May and June, resulting in a total of 258,000 jobs lost and announcing fewer than anticipated employment benefits in July.
The president alleged that Mantelfer had manipulated data previously and reiterated his belief that the numbers were misleading.
“I think the numbers were fake, just like they were before the election,” Trump remarked to reporters as he left the White House for Bedminster, New Jersey. “So you know what I did? I fired her.”
A spokesperson for the BLS confirmed Mantelfer’s termination, noting that vice committee member William Wiatrowski would serve as acting commissioner.
Mantelfer had been confirmed by the Senate in January 2024 after previously holding a senior economist position in the Biden administration.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated he had just learned that the employment report originated from “Biden’s appointees,” while Mantelfer accused Trump of distorting work numbers before the election to favor Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump pointed out that the same BLS had once reported exaggerated job growth figures, especially significant increases just before the 2024 presidential election. He questioned the accuracy of their reports, calling them records that were fundamentally flawed.
The recent release showing major downward revisions for employment growth—marking the most significant payroll adjustment since 2009—provoked backlash from Republican lawmakers, who suggested that the data was intentionally skewed to benefit the Biden-Harris administration.
“We need accurate work numbers,” Trump insisted, asserting that Mantelfer would be replaced by someone more skilled and trustworthy.
“These figures must be fair and accurate. They shouldn’t be manipulated for political gain,” he added. He highlighted that while Mantelfer had announced only 73,000 additional jobs, there had been a downward revision of 258,000 jobs in the prior months.
Trump remarked on similar trends earlier in the year, suggesting that such negative adjustments were not unusual.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) commended the decision to remove Mantelfer and sought hearings regarding job statistic revisions during Biden’s term.
“I have expressed concerns about the inaccuracy of the job numbers released by Dr. Erica Mantelfer,” Marshall stated on social media.
Trump also reiterated in another post that the July BLS report was manipulated to make Republicans look unfavorable.
When speaking to the press, he mentioned having “about three” potential candidates in mind for Mantelfer’s replacement. “I have many good candidates, and everyone wants that position,” he commented. “We’ll appoint someone who can be honest.”
