Why was E.J. Antoni’s nomination withdrawn by Trump? Here’s what happened
E.J. Antoni was nominated to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics in August after President Donald Trump fired the previous commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, in the wake of a poor jobs report. Photo credit: The White House
The White House has pulled back the nomination of E.J. Antoni, a conservative economist closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, to serve as commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Antoni, who was nominated in August following Trump’s abrupt dismissal of former BLS chief Erika McEntarfer, had faced mounting scrutiny over his qualifications, past remarks, and online activity. The decision to withdraw his name was confirmed Tuesday after weeks of growing resistance in the Senate and renewed media reports about Antoni’s controversial statements.
A White House official praised Antoni in a statement, describing him as “a brilliant economist and an American patriot that will continue to do good work on behalf of our great country.” The official added that President Trump remains committed to “fixing the longstanding failures at the BLS that have undermined the public’s trust in critical economic data” and that a new nominee would be announced soon.
Background of the Nomination
Trump fired McEntarfer in August after a disappointing July jobs report showed only 73,000 jobs added, alongside sharp downward revisions to May and June totals. Trump alleged — without evidence — that the numbers had been manipulated to damage him politically, accusing McEntarfer of “rigging” the data.
Antoni, a senior economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation and contributor to Project 2025, had long questioned the credibility of BLS data. His nomination was quickly endorsed by Trump allies, including Steve Bannon, but raised concerns among mainstream economists who argued it threatened the agency’s independence.
Controversies and Opposition
Antoni’s candidacy began to unravel after CNN’s KFile revealed his deleted social media account, which contained crude attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, derogatory remarks about LGBTQ+ people, and conspiracy-laden posts. While the White House defended him at the time, the revelations deepened doubts about his confirmation chances.
Two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, reportedly declined to meet with him, signaling a lack of GOP unity around his nomination. Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy also hinted the nomination was not advancing, noting that Antoni’s confirmation hearing had never been scheduled.
Reactions
The Heritage Foundation, where Antoni continues to serve as chief economist, defended him following the withdrawal. Foundation president Kevin Roberts called Antoni “one of the sharpest economic minds in the country” and reiterated his view that the BLS is in need of reform.
Still, critics argued that the episode reflects Trump’s ongoing efforts to politicize independent government agencies. The BLS, founded in 1884, operates within the Department of Labor but is traditionally regarded as a nonpartisan body responsible for producing some of the most widely watched economic indicators in the world.
What’s Next
With Antoni’s withdrawal, Trump must now nominate another candidate for Senate confirmation. The move comes amid broader debates over how the administration is handling key institutions tasked with providing reliable economic data.
While Antoni returns to his role at the Heritage Foundation, the controversy has spotlighted both Trump’s skepticism of official labor statistics and the heightened political tensions surrounding U.S. economic reporting.
FAQ Section
Why was E.J. Antoni’s nomination withdrawn?
The nomination was withdrawn due to Senate opposition, media scrutiny, and revelations about Antoni’s past social media activity.
Who was E.J. Antoni supposed to replace?
He was nominated to replace Erika McEntarfer, who was fired by Trump after a disappointing July jobs report.
What controversies surrounded E.J. Antoni?
Antoni faced criticism for derogatory social media posts, ties to far-right groups, and skepticism about the integrity of federal labor statistics.
What happens next after Antoni’s withdrawal?
The Trump administration will announce a new nominee for the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner role.
Why does the Bureau of Labor Statistics matter?
The BLS provides critical economic data — including jobs reports and inflation metrics — that influence policy decisions, markets, and public trust.
