Trump picks Heritage Foundation economist to head US labour statistics bureau
Announcement follows Trump’s firing of the previous commissioner, who had reported job growth figures that missed his expectations
US President Donald Trump on Monday picked a right-wing think tank economist to head the Bureau of Labour Statistics, replacing the commissioner he fired for reducing previously reported job growth estimates.
Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that he was nominating E.J. Antoni to be commissioner of the bureau.
“Our Economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE,” Trump said in the post.
“I know E.J. Antoni will do an incredible job in this new role.”
Antoni is the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation’s centre for the federal budget, according to the think tank’s website.
Commentary by Antoni posted by the Heritage Foundation has consistently praised Trump’s policies and criticised those of his predecessor, former president Joe Biden.