Trump Nominates Career Economist To Lead Bureau Of Labor Statistics

President Donald J. Trump, now serving his second term in the White House, announced Monday that he has nominated economist Brett Matsumoto to serve as commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics — a move aimed at restoring credibility to the federal government’s most influential economic data agency.

Trump revealed the nomination in a post on Truth Social, sharply criticizing the agency’s recent leadership and defending his decision to elevate a career economist from within its own ranks.

“For many years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, under WEAK and STUPID people, has been FAILING American Businesses, Policymakers, and Families by releasing VERY inaccurate numbers. That is why I FIRED the former Commissioner, and am pleased to nominate the very talented Brett Matsumoto as the next Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),” Trump wrote.

The BLS has been without a permanent commissioner since August 1, when President Trump removed the previous head of the agency following the release of data indicating unexpected weakness in the labor market — numbers the administration viewed as deeply flawed.

Trump emphasized Matsumoto’s background as a seasoned insider rather than a political operative.

“Brett was a Supervisory Research Economist for the BLS, but is now serving as a Senior Economist on the Trump Council of Economic Advisers, like he did in my First Term,” Trump wrote.

“I am confident that Brett has the expertise to QUICKLY fix the long history of issues at the BLS on behalf of the American People,” he added.

Matsumoto has worked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics since 2015 and holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which he earned that same year. Prior to a temporary assignment to the White House Council of Economic Advisers last year, he had no experience in a political role — a fact that has reassured economists wary of partisan interference.

“Brett Matsumoto is a Brilliant, Reputable, and Trusted Economist who will restore GREATNESS to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations Brett!”

Matsumoto did not respond to media requests for comment.

The nomination stands in contrast to a previous attempt last fall, when Trump tapped Heritage Foundation economist E.J. Antoni to lead the agency. That nomination drew bipartisan criticism due to Antoni’s limited federal experience and academic research background, and was ultimately withdrawn before Senate consideration.

Trump’s decision to nominate a long-serving career official is widely viewed as an effort to stabilize the agency after months of controversy. His firing of former commissioner Erika McEntarfer came just hours after the BLS issued major downward revisions to prior job growth estimates — a move that sparked media speculation about political pressure over economic data.

The BLS employs more than 2,000 workers and produces some of the most closely watched indicators in the U.S. economy, including unemployment rates, inflation data, and monthly job growth figures. Although housed within the Labor Department, its economists operate independently, with the commissioner serving as the agency’s only political appointee.

The agency’s importance was underscored last fall when a six-week government shutdown halted the release of BLS data, leaving investors, business leaders, and Federal Reserve officials without reliable economic benchmarks. Years of stagnant congressional funding have further strained the agency, shrinking its inflation-adjusted budget and forcing cutbacks in inflation surveys during a federal hiring freeze.

Economists have also raised concerns about the methods used to estimate missing data during the shutdown, warning that distorted inflation readings could linger for months. The BLS has maintained it followed established contingency procedures.

If confirmed by the Senate, Matsumoto would assume leadership of an agency currently overseen on an acting basis by longtime staff economist William Wiatrowski.