Trump's chosen official for job statistics and inflation rates infuses political bias into numerical data
E.J. Antoni's nomination as commissioner of the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has faced criticism for potential politicization of the agency’s data and methods. Antoni, a chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, has been known for his harsh criticisms of the BLS’s existing data collection and reporting practices.
Controversial Economic Views
Antoni's controversial economic views include questioning the validity of BLS data, such as health insurance figures, and criticizing low response rates and methodology at the BLS. He has also suggested sweeping reforms or radical changes to data collection methods, such as temporarily suspending the monthly jobs report, a critical economic indicator.
Antoni's strong political alignment with the conservative Heritage Foundation and participation in the far-right Project 2025 blueprint have also raised concerns about his partisan stance on economic and governmental data presentation.
Critics and Supporters
Critics, including former Obama administration economic advisor Jason Furman, call Antoni an "extreme partisan" lacking relevant expertise for the BLS commissioner role. Supporters argue that Antoni identifies real problems in BLS data collection and aims to restore "honest and accurate" reporting, though this view is contested.
William Beach, a former BLS commissioner, is confident that BLS procedures are strong enough to prevent political meddling, and that the commissioner does not affect, collect, massage, or organize the data.
Impact on BLS Data
The potential politicization of the BLS data, traditionally a nonpartisan, data-driven agency, has raised concerns among economists and investors. The monthly employment reports are probably the most-watched economic data on Wall Street, and can frequently cause swings in stock prices. The stock market often reacts to the monthly employment reports, but there is room for improvement in the data's accuracy.
The recent firing of Erika McEntarfer, the then-BLS chair, after a jobs report on Aug 1 showed hiring had weakened and was much lower than previously reported, has further fuelled concerns about the politicization of BLS data.
Conclusion
In summary, Antoni’s nomination is controversial due to his partisan background, public disparagement of BLS data, and proposals that could fundamentally change how the agency operates, raising fears of politicization of official labor statistics. His economic views underscore skepticism about established BLS methodologies and hint at potential overhaul proposals aligned with conservative agendas. The impact of his nomination on the accuracy and reliability of BLS data remains to be seen.
[1] The Washington Post [2] Bloomberg [3] The Hill [4] Politico
- The controversy surrounding E.J. Antoni's nomination as Commissioner of the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stems from concerns about potential politicization of the agency's data and methods, given Antoni's close ties to conservative political groups and his criticisms of the BLS's existing data collection practices.
- Antoni's suggestions for sweeping reforms in data collection, such as temporarily suspending the monthly jobs report, have raised concerns about the impact on general news, world economy, finance, and business, as these reports are crucial indicators that can influence investment decision-making and stock prices.
- While supporters argue that Antoni aims to restore "honest and accurate" reporting, critics, such as former Obama administration economic advisor Jason Furman, have labelled Antoni an "extreme partisan" lacking the necessary expertise for the role of BLS Commissioner.
- The potential consequences of politicizing BLS data, which traditionally operates as a nonpartisan, data-driven agency, can have far-reaching effects on education, health, policy-and-legislation, and general-news, as concerns about the accuracy and reliability of BLS data could impact decision-makers and the public's understanding of the economy's overall health.
