The U.S. job market was weak in July, and previous months were worse than thought
NBC2 days
Trump Fires Labor Statistics Chief Following July Jobs Report
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025. Image copyright: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This dismissal reflects decisive leadership that demands accountability. Under Biden-appointed McEntarfer, the BLS has consistently revised data in a clear effort to manipulate political outcomes, as seen with the inflated jobs growth report ahead of last year's presidential election. Trump's decision will restore the credibility of national statistics, rebuilding public trust in economic data.
Democratic narrative
Trump’s decision to dismiss McEntarfer is a clear attempt to deflect responsibility following July's disastrous economic report. Economic revisions are routine, with the latest adjustments simply a result of standard delays in data collection — not evidence of incompetence or manipulation. This action undermines the integrity of a nonpartisan agency and establishes a troubling precedent: punishing inconvenient facts rather than addressing the underlying economic issues.