Trump fires labor statistics chief hours after data showed jobs growth slowed

President Donald Trump fired Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shortly after weak job growth data was released, sparking accusations of politicizing economic data. Trump claimed that McEntarfer had rigged employment figures to harm his image and help Democrats, calling the numbers “rigged.” Critics accused him of “firing the messenger” and undermining trust in federal statistics. McEntarfer, a respected economist confirmed by a bipartisan Senate vote, was replaced by the agency’s deputy commissioner, The Guardian has reported.