Trump Administration Withdraws E.J. Antoni’s BLS Nomination Amid Scrutiny

The Trump administration has officially withdrawn the nomination of conservative economist E.J. Antoni to serve as the next commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The decision, announced on Tuesday, follows a period of intense scrutiny surrounding Antoni’s past statements and associations.

A White House official confirmed the withdrawal, stating, “Dr. E.J. Antoni is a brilliant economist and an American patriot that will continue to do good work on behalf of our great country.” The official added that “President Trump is committed to fixing the longstanding failures at the BLS that have undermined the public’s trust in critical economic data” and plans to announce a new nominee “very soon.”

Antoni’s nomination in August came after President Trump controversially fired the previous BLS chief, Erika McEntarfer, in the wake of a disappointing July jobs report. Trump had previously claimed, without evidence, that the jobs report was “rigged” and expressed a desire for Antoni to “ensure that the numbers released are honest and accurate,” despite clarifications from former commissioners that the BLS head does not compile the monthly jobs reports.

The nomination faced significant headwinds due to Antoni’s skepticism of BLS data, his association with Project 2025, and an interview where he suggested suspending monthly jobs reports in favor of quarterly data for greater accuracy. His reported presence as a “bystander” at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection also drew considerable attention and scrutiny. The White House had previously affirmed its commitment to continuing the timely publication of monthly jobs numbers.

Senator Bill Cassidy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, acknowledged meeting with Antoni and expressed his commitment to working with President Trump to “fix BLS so it can deliver accurate, reliable economic data.” Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts also reiterated support for Antoni, praising his “sharpest economic minds” and commitment to BLS reform.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides critical economic data considered a global standard, essential for businesses, policymakers, and government agencies to understand the true condition of the U.S. economy. The search for a new BLS commissioner is now underway, with the administration emphasizing the need to restore public trust in economic reporting.

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