White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett recently ignited a significant debate, staunchly defending President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to dismiss the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This move, coupled with Trump’s assertions that recent jobs reports were “rigged,” has sent ripples through political and economic circles, raising critical questions about the integrity of official data and the extent of political influence on key government agencies.
The catalyst for this executive action was the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ release of weaker-than-expected jobs numbers for July, alongside substantial downward revisions for May and June. In the immediate aftermath, President Trump took to Truth Social, declaring the jobs figures “rigged” and announcing his directive to fire BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, emphasizing a need for “accurate job numbers” and a more “competent and qualified” replacement.
Hassett echoed the sentiment of doubt regarding the accuracy of these jobs numbers during an appearance on “Meet the Press.” He highlighted historical patterns of significant revisions to jobs reports, particularly after specific political events, suggesting a broader issue. The director of the National Economic Council underscored the administration’s paramount goal: to ensure public trust in economic data and thoroughly investigate the underlying reasons for such “unreliable” revisions.
The firing, however, was not met without bipartisan criticism in Congress. Both Democrats and Republicans expressed concerns, questioning whether such a drastic measure would genuinely lead to improved or less politicized future jobs numbers. Senator Rand Paul, for instance, voiced apprehension that dismissing those responsible for statistics could impede objective judgment, emphasizing that simply firing individuals wouldn’t alter the fundamental numbers.
Despite the backlash, Hassett maintained that installing the Trump administration’s “own people” within the BLS would ultimately lead to more “transparent and reliable” jobs reports. He articulated a clear desire for explanations behind any significant changes or revisions, particularly anticipating further substantial adjustments to jobs data in the coming months, underscoring the administration’s commitment to understanding these fluctuations.
Conversely, Senator Alex Padilla strongly condemned the president’s actions, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to “weaponize” the Bureau of Labor Statistics for its political agenda. Padilla stressed the crucial role of the Senate in evaluating the independence of any new BLS commissioner during confirmation hearings, asserting that the agency must remain free from political pressure to ensure reliable performance and maintain public trust.
Beyond the employment data controversy, Hassett also elaborated on President Trump’s evolving tariff policy. He confirmed the recent formalization of trade deals with several key nations including the European Union and Japan, while also defending sweeping tariffs imposed on major trading partners like Canada. Hassett indicated that negotiations would likely continue with countries yet to finalize agreements, suggesting a dynamic and ongoing trade strategy.
Furthermore, Hassett directly challenged conventional economic analysis predicting inflation due to higher tariffs on consumer goods. Instead, he attributed any inflationary pressures to the previous Biden administration’s policies, particularly what he described as “printing money and sending it to people.” He asserted that inflation had notably decreased, primarily because such fiscal approaches were no longer in practice, signaling a distinct economic philosophy.
