Trump fires the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics due to weak jobs report

ChainCatcher news, according to Axios, U.S. President Trump stated that he will fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) due to the independent government agency's release of weak employment data for July and the downward revision of the previous month's data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that Director Erika McEntarfer was "fired" on Friday, and long-time BLS official William Wiatrowski was appointed as acting director. Trump stated on Truth Social that this "Biden political appointee" would be replaced by someone "more capable and qualified," and unfoundedly accused McEntarfer of distorting data for political purposes.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed that the U.S. added only 73,000 jobs in July and significantly revised down the employment growth estimates for May and June. Former BLS Director William Beach stated that firing McEntarfer "sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau of Labor Statistics."