President Donald Trump‘s firing of Dr. Erika McEntarfer, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner, was “totally groundless” and “sets a dangerous precedent,” warns William Beach, former bureau chief.

Newsweek reached out to economic analysts via email for comment Friday.

Why It Matters

The dismissal of McEntarfer by Trump has raised significant concerns among economists and former officials regarding the independence of the BLS and the integrity of federal economic data.

The firing followed the release of bleak job figures for July, as Trump claimed the numbers were “rigged,” without providing evidence. The number of new jobs dipped well below even modest expectations, with only 73,000 positions added, compared to the Dow Jones estimate of 100,000.

The firing coincided with a significant drop in U.S. stock markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 542 points (1.2 percent), the S&P 500 fell 1.6 percent and the Nasdaq composite dropped 2.2 percent. This downward movement was attributed to both weak job figures and a new round of U.S. tariffs announced by Trump.

What To Know

Trump announced McEntarfer’s firing on Truth Social Friday, also accusing her of manipulating data to benefit former Vice President Kamala Harris around the 2024 presidential election “to try and boost Kamala’s chances of Victory.”

Beach took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice his frustrations with Trump’s decision, saying in part, “The totally groundless firing of Dr. Erika McEntarfer, my successor as Commissioner of Labor Statistics at BLS, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau.”

He also attached a full statement, which in part added: “Today, President Trump called into question the integrity of the Employment Situation report that the BLS released this morning. He accused BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer of deliberately reporting false numbers to reflect poorly on this administration. This baseless, damaging claim undermines the valuable work and dedication of BLS staff who produce the reports each month. This escalates the President’s unprecedented attacks on the independence and integrity of the federal statistical system.”

Beach added that he and other Friends of BLS Co-Chairs are calling for Congress to investigate Dr. McEntarfer’s removal and to “respond immediately.”

Trump nominated Beach for commissioner in 2017.

McEntarfer’s tenure as BLS commissioner began following her 2024 Senate confirmation by an 86-8 vote after being nominated by former President Joe Biden. She previously held senior roles in the Treasury Department, White House Council of Economic Advisers and U.S. Census Bureau, her bio notes.

What People Are Saying

Justin Wolfers, professor of economics at the University of Michigan, posted to X on Friday: “This is a remarkable — and brave — statement from the guy who was Trump’s handpicked BLS Commissioner in Trump’s first term.”

Representative Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat, posted to X on Friday: “Firing the nonpartisan commissioner of Bureau of Labor Statistics just hours after a deeply worrying report showing serious job loss in manufacturing is what you’d expect in a Banana Republic. Dr. McEntarfer is nonpartisan, and was confirmed with 86 bipartisan votes. This is no way to run a nation.”

What Happens Next

It is immediately unclear who will replace McEntarfer. Trump said in his post on Truth Social that “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.”