What's next after the BLS chief's firing? A former staffer weighs in

By Lauren Hodges,

Ailsa Chang, John Ketchum

Published August 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM EDT

Last week, president trump fired Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after a revision to previous jobs reports. What does this action mean for the agency and for the future of U.S. labor data, which is considered the gold standard for economists?

Economy

Lauren Hodges

Lauren Hodges is a producer for All Things Considered. She joined the show in 2018 after seven years in the NPR newsroom as a producer and editor.

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist who hosts All Things Considered along with Ari Shapiro, Mary Louise Kelly and Juana Summers. She landed in public radio after practicing law for a few years.

John Ketchum

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What's next after the BLS chief's firing? A former staffer weighs in

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

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with your gift right now.