Oppose Project 2025 Author E.J. Antoni for BLS Commissioner

Trump has nominated Project 2025 contributor and Heritage Foundation member E.J. Antoni to be the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) after firing the previous commissioner Erika McEntarfer. The BLS compiles and publishes data on employment, inflation, and other aspects of the economy that have an impact on the global market, and its data-driven research has “been considered the gold standard globally because historically those government entities have been allowed to operate with little to no political interference”. However, Antoni has been particularly critical of the legitimacy of the BLS, most notably on his friend Steve Bannon’s podcast, where he called for the firing of McEntarfer.

Economists have also described Antoni as unqualified for the role, pointing to his consistent misunderstandings of fundamental economic theories and his recent statement that the monthly jobs report should be suspended. Based on his previous practices and writing, economists are already worried that Antoni’s appointment will not only impact the global market but also the American taxpayer, arguing that the statistical methods he plans to employ will “downplay the real-world effects of inflation” and lead to many Americans paying higher taxes. Additionally, Antoni has called Social Security a “ponzi scheme” and has called for the program to be dissolved; the BLS commissioner oversees the data measures from which Social Security payments are adjusted.

Antoni’s confirmation would further the Trump administration’s agenda of lies and misinformation. His attempts to manipulate data would have major impacts on the economy for both industries and individuals. It is critical that the Senate reject Antoni’s nomination and his attempts to bring partisan politics into the American economy.