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The Trump administration has officially withdrawn its nomination of conservative economist E.J. Antoni to lead the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the White House confirmed Tuesday. Antoni, currently chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, was tapped last month after President Donald Trump abruptly fired Erika McEntarfer, accusing her—without evidence—of manipulating jobs data.
The BLS, part of the Department of Labor, produces closely watched economic reports, including monthly jobs and inflation data that influence global markets, policymakers, and investors. Trump’s choice of Antoni, a vocal critic of the agency, raised concerns among economists about the reliability of government statistics. Critics argued his appointment could undermine confidence in official labor data and increase reliance on private-sector alternatives.
Antoni’s nomination quickly faced hurdles in the Senate. The committee overseeing the Labor Department never scheduled a hearing, and several Republican senators—including Lisa Murkowski—voiced concerns. According to insiders, hesitation among GOP lawmakers contributed to the administration’s decision to pull the nomination. CNN was the first to report the withdrawal.
The timing of this decision adds to economic uncertainty as the U.S. edges toward a potential government shutdown. A failed Senate vote on extending funding could delay the release of September’s crucial jobs report, originally set for Friday.
Economists and policy advocates previously warned that politicizing the BLS could damage its independence. Joe Brusuelas of RSM US predicted a rise in demand for private data providers if Antoni were confirmed, while Alex Jacquez of the Groundwork Collaborative described the nomination as “a clear assault on independent analysis.”
Despite the withdrawal, the White House maintains that Antoni is a “brilliant economist and an American patriot.” Officials promised a new nominee will be announced soon, signaling that the administration still intends to shake up the leadership of one of the government’s most important statistical agencies.
