US watchdog launches review into BLS data collection
The US Labor Department’s inspector general has initiated an investigation into the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) methods for collecting jobs and inflation data following criticism from the White House. The probe aims to address the challenges faced by the BLS in gathering and updating information, particularly in light of recent revisions to job figures that showed weaker growth than previously estimated.
This investigation comes on the heels of President Trump’s decision to dismiss the former head of the BLS, accusing her of manipulating job numbers without evidence. The inspector general’s office cited the job report revisions and BLS efforts to reduce data collection as reasons for launching the investigation.
A recent report by the Labor Department revealed that the US economy added 911,000 fewer jobs than initially thought in the 12 months leading up to March of this year. This larger-than-expected downward revision has raised concerns about the quality of BLS surveys due to declining response rates.
Critics, including Democrats and economists, have raised alarms about the politicization of economic data, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s nomination of conservative economist EJ Antoni to lead the BLS. Antoni’s reputation for partisan analysis has sparked widespread criticism.
In addition to concerns about data quality, recent cuts to BLS panels and reductions in price data collection have been attributed to funding and staffing issues. The Trump administration has defended these decisions as efforts to enhance report quality and modernize the office.
The inspector general’s office has previously examined issues with BLS data, emphasizing the need for transparency and clarity in data assumptions. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the BLS addresses these challenges and maintains the integrity of its reports.
