The Trump administration plans to appoint a senior critic to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which may signal a reform

ChainCatcher news, according to the Wall Street Journal, E.J. Antony, chief economist at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, is a leading candidate for the director of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to a senior government official, the Trump administration is interviewing candidates for the BLS director position, including at least one person who has long criticized the agency. Earlier this month, Trump dismissed the BLS director following a weak jobs report, and officials are currently weighing potential successors.

E.J. Antony, who is being interviewed, has long questioned the agency's employment data collection methods as the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation. A White House spokesperson stated, "President Trump has selected the best talent to lead the federal government and will announce the new BLS director after a decision is made." The report indicates that the White House's consideration of appointing a well-known critic suggests that Trump plans to implement significant reforms at the agency. (Jin Shi)