Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) new jobs report would be more reliable after President Donald Trump’s decision to remove former Commissioner Erika McEntarfer.
Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box less than an hour before the latest report was released, Lutnick predicted improvements in the agency’s accuracy.
Trump Administration Seeks Control
When asked about the BLS’ credibility, Lutnick argued that recent leadership changes would reduce internal resistance to the administration.
“I think they’ll get better,” Lutnick said. “You’ll take out the people who are just trying to create noise against the president.”
He added that holdovers from the Biden administration were “rooting against America and against Donald Trump, and that’s got to end.”
McEntarfer, appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2024, was dismissed on August 1 shortly after the agency reported slowing job growth in July.
Disappointing August Report
Despite Lutnick’s optimism, the August data was weaker than expected.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by only 22,000, well below the forecast of 75,000.
The unemployment rate also increased to 4.3%.
Lutnick admitted change would not be immediate.
“So he can’t replace somebody two weeks ago, and you expect fundamental change, but what you will get is an agency that’s on [Trump’s] side, just trying to do the best and put out the correct numbers,” he said.
Trump Remains Cautious
Asked on Thursday if he could vouch for the credibility of upcoming BLS figures, Trump avoided giving a direct commitment.
“We’ll see what the, the number — I don’t know, they come out tomorrow,” Trump said.
He insisted that the “real numbers” reflecting his administration’s success would emerge within a year, predicting they would be “absolutely incredible.”
The White House has faced criticism for politicizing economic data, but administration officials maintain that changes are intended to ensure accuracy.