White House Reverses Course on E.J. Antoni Nomination
In a sudden reversal, the White House has withdrawn the nomination of E.J. Antoni—a conservative economist with no government experience—as the next commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The move follows intense bipartisan criticism over concerns about his qualifications and the politicization of federal economic data .
Why Was Antoni’s Nomination So Controversial?
Antoni, a senior economist at the Heritage Foundation, had frequently echoed former President Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that BLS data was “rigged.” His public commentary often distorted economic statistics to fit partisan narratives—raising red flags among economists across the political spectrum .
BLS Leadership: Then and Now
| Commissioner | Tenure | Background | Controversy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erika McEntarfer | 2023–2025 | Ph.D. economist, career BLS official | Fired by Trump over routine data revision |
| E.J. Antoni (nominee) | Never confirmed | Heritage Foundation commentator | Withdrawn due to bipartisan opposition |
| William J. Wiatrowski | Acting (2025–present) | Deputy commissioner, career BLS staffer | Now sole employee amid government shutdown |
What Experts Are Saying
“Typically, frankly, you’re getting a data nerd,” said Erica L. Groshen, former BLS commissioner under President Obama .
Aaron Sojourner of the Friends of BLS advocacy group called Antoni “an underqualified pick” and welcomed the withdrawal, urging the administration to nominate a candidate with technical expertise and a commitment to nonpartisan data integrity .
Challenges Facing the Next BLS Commissioner
- Staffing Crisis: BLS is down to one employee—Wiatrowski—as funding lapses trigger furloughs.
- Data Trust Deficit: Public confidence eroded after Trump fired McEntarfer over normal statistical revisions.
- Operational Decline: Years of budget cuts, low survey response rates, and hiring freezes.
- Political Pressure: Rising risk of interference from both Congress and the White House.
What’s Next?
President Trump is expected to announce a new nominee soon for the Senate-confirmed role. The next leader will inherit an agency at a breaking point—but also a critical opportunity to restore credibility to one of America’s most trusted economic institutions .
