Trump Selects Veteran Economist to Head Key Data Agency After Turmoil

2026-02-02 politics

Washington D.C., Sunday, 1 February 2026.
President Trump nominated career economist Brett Matsumoto to stabilize the BLS, a sharp pivot after firing the agency’s chief over data disputes and withdrawing a controversial political appointee.

A Pivot to Technocratic Leadership

On Friday, January 30, 2026, President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Brett Matsumoto to serve as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1][2]. This selection marks a distinct shift in strategy for the administration, moving away from political appointees toward career expertise to lead the federal government’s primary data-gathering institution [3][4]. Matsumoto is a veteran economist who has worked within the BLS since 2015, specifically in the division responsible for studying price index measurement [4][5]. Currently, he serves as a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)—a position he also held during President Trump’s first term—while on leave from his permanent research role at the bureau [1][2][5].

Stabilizing a Key Institution

If confirmed by the Senate, Matsumoto will assume leadership from acting Commissioner William Wiatrowski, who has managed the agency on an interim basis since August 2025 [1][2]. The appointment is critical for financial markets, as the BLS is responsible for producing high-impact economic indicators, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the monthly jobs report, which directly influence Federal Reserve policy [1][8]. Industry observers interpret the nomination of a self-described “data nerd” with a doctorate in economics from the University of North Carolina as an effort to restore stability after a period of significant leadership turmoil [3][5][7].

Turmoil and Data Disputes

The vacancy at the top of the BLS was created by the abrupt firing of former Commissioner Erika McEntarfer in August 2025 [1][6]. Her dismissal followed the release of a July jobs report that President Trump characterized as “rigged,” an accusation fueled by substantial revisions to prior data [1][8]. Specifically, the bureau reported that the economy had added 258,000 fewer jobs between May and June 2025 than initially estimated [2][8]. In his statement announcing Matsumoto’s nomination, the President reiterated his criticism of the previous leadership, asserting that the agency had been run by “WEAK and STUPID people” who failed American businesses by releasing “VERY inaccurate numbers” [2][4].

The Failed Nomination of E.J. Antoni

Prior to selecting Matsumoto, the White House had attempted to install E.J. Antoni, an economist from the conservative Heritage Foundation and a Fox News commentator, to lead the agency [2][8]. However, that nomination was withdrawn in September 2025 following bipartisan criticism regarding Antoni’s qualifications and revelations that he was present outside the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, riots [1][3][8]. Antoni had also sparked controversy by suggesting that monthly jobs reports should be temporarily suspended to reassess the agency’s underlying methodology, a stance that unsettled economic observers [4].

Expert Consensus and Market Outlook

In sharp contrast to the previous nominee, Matsumoto has drawn praise from across the economic spectrum [1][7]. William Beach, who served as BLS Commissioner during the first Trump administration, endorsed Matsumoto as a “good choice,” while Claudia Sahm, Chief Economist at New Century Advisors, described him as an “excellent choice” for the role [3][7]. Omair Sharif, founder of Inflation Insights, noted that Matsumoto is a “smart, skilled economist” who understands the importance of unbiased data [1]. This broad approval suggests that while the President expects Matsumoto to “QUICKLY fix” the agency’s issues, the nominee is viewed by the industry as a capable technocrat rather than a political disruptor [1][4].

Sources

Brett Matsumoto Bureau of Labor Statistics