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Trump's Nominee Calls for Quarterly Jobs Reports Over Flawed Monthly Data

8/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

E.J. Antoni, nominated by President Trump for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggests halting the monthly jobs report due to its flawed methodology. He believes switching to quarterly data could improve accuracy. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed the importance of reliable leadership and precise economic data for informed decision-making.

History

Historical Context

In 1980, the U.S. faced a recession, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting an unemployment rate of 7.1%. This economic crisis prompted the Carter administration to reconsider economic data reporting methods. E.J. Antoni's proposal to transition from monthly to quarterly job reports reflects ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy of economic indicators, which are crucial for informed policy-making and public trust.

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Story summary

E.J. Antoni, nominated by President Trump for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggests halting the monthly jobs report due to its flawed methodology. He believes switching to quarterly data could improve accuracy. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed the importance of reliable leadership and precise economic data for informed decision-making.

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