Trump nominee E.J. Antoni withdraws bid to lead BLS
On Oct. 1, 2025, E.J. Antoni withdrew his nomination to become commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics after bipartisan criticism that he lacked the nonpartisan statistical credentials typical for the role. The article notes the withdrawal came after President Trump fired the previous BLS commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, and that the bureau—already hampered by a roughly 20% staff decline—has paused some reports amid a government shutdown.
Politics
Economy
🔍 Key Facts
- E.J. Antoni formally dropped his bid to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics (reported Oct. 1, 2025).
- The nomination drew widespread bipartisan criticism for partisanship and limited technical/statistical experience; critics include conservative economists and BLS supporters.
- BLS operations are stressed: reports are on hold until the government shutdown is resolved and the agency has lost about 20% of its workforce, forcing fewer monthly price checks.
📍 Contextual Background
- Formal recruiting figures for all U.S. military services are typically announced after the federal fiscal year ends on September 30.
- The Social Security Administration's contingency plans provide that in the event of a lapse in appropriations the agency will follow those plans and beneficiaries would continue receiving Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.