Trump nominates Heritage Foundation economist as new Bureau of Labor Statistics head

President Trump has nominated E.J. Antoni, a Heritage Foundation economist, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Economists express concerns this move could politicize the agency responsible for key economic data like employment and inflation figures. Antoni faces scrutiny about handling data that might displease Trump, following the recent firing of former commissioner Erika McEntarfer. This marks the second Heritage economist chosen by Trump for this role, after William Beach in 2017. The nomination comes amid unusual public attention on the BLS, though economists reject claims its data is manipulated.