EJ Antoni from the Heritage Foundation was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) after Trump dismissed the previous statistician following an unsatisfactory employment report earlier this month.
On his Truth Social Platform, Trump expressed, “Our economy is booming, and EJ ensures that the numbers released are honest and accurate.”
Antoni, affiliated with the far-right Heritage Foundation, has been vocal in his criticism of Erica Mantelfer, who served as BLS commissioner under former President Biden and was confirmed by the Senate in January 2024. The BLS is responsible for reporting national economic data, including job statistics.
Shortly after, Trump made claims about the latest employment figures released on August 1, labeling them as “equipment,” without providing substantial evidence.
According to the BLS, the economy added a mere 73,000 jobs in July. Moreover, the bureau revised its figures for May and June, lowering previous estimates significantly. Such revisions are common and occur when new data is received from businesses and federal agencies.
The collection of economic data in the U.S. is often referred to as the “gold standard,” as noted by Trump’s appointee, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
Trump’s decision to fire Mantelfer drew criticism, even from former BLS commissioner William Beach, who described the move as “basically unfounded.” Beach emphasized that BLS data is now “more accurate than it was 30 years ago.”
During an appearance on Steve Bannon’s Warroom Podcast, Antoni commented that the BLS data collection methods are “outdated,” suggesting that a complete rethinking is necessary.
After Trump’s election victory, Antoni had made a post expressing the need for change at the BLS.
Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, praised Trump’s selection of Antoni, stating he is “one of the keenest economic minds” and advocates for the American family. He commended Antoni’s leadership and his contributions to the organization’s initiatives.
Antoni also played a role in shaping the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative plan aimed at reforming federal agencies in the wake of Trump’s election win.
