Labor Department Employees Rally for Transparency Amid Trump’s Claims of Biased Jobs Reports

In response to the disappointing jobs report released on Friday, employees at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) within the U.S. Department of Labor have reassured the public of the reliability and trustworthiness of the government’s economic data.

In a statement issued during a rally outside the department’s Washington D.C. headquarters, these staff members emphasized their commitment to delivering unbiased economic data based on law and statistical practice. Helen Lurie, a member of the Stop DOL Cuts coalition – a group comprising former Labor Department employees advocating for current staff – read out the statement. Lurie previously worked at the department’s Women’s Bureau.

Due to concerns about potential reprisals from the current administration, these BLS employees requested anonymity when speaking with NPR.

Their statement comes shortly after President Trump dismissed BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following a weak July jobs report. Without providing evidence, Trump accused McEntarfer of manipulating job numbers for political gain, specifically to tarnish his image and support Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in November 2019. The current staff at the department have expressed concern about McEntarfer’s dismissal and called for her reinstatement.

“Dr. McEntarfer did nothing wrong. No serious observer claims otherwise. Commissioners do not ‘cook’ the numbers; they do not even see them until after the estimates are complete,” the statement read.

Friday’s jobs report revealed that the U.S. added only 22,000 jobs in August, significantly less than anticipated. Additionally, it included a revision to the June report, showing a loss of jobs for the first time since 2020. Both the July and August reports saw downward revisions of job gains from previous months.

Each month, the government surveys approximately 121,000 businesses and government agencies across the country. However, some employers may not respond in time for publication of the jobs report, leading to later submissions and subsequent revisions. These adjustments help provide a more accurate representation of employment figures over previous months.

In their statement, the BLS employees emphasized the transparency of their work, stating that they publish sources, methods, and data revisions according to a set schedule. They assured the public that there is no need for speculation regarding the accuracy of job numbers.

By mid-afternoon on Friday, President Trump had not commented directly on the August jobs numbers but took another swipe at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, expressing disappointment over his handling of interest rates.

Despite potential political pressures, the BLS employees vowed to maintain their commitment to publishing accurate and impartial data. “The numbers will remain accurate and nonpartisan,” they wrote. “And if that ever changes, the professionals will tell you.”