President Donald Trump’s attempt to shake up the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) may have quietly backfired.
After firing the previous commissioner and pushing a controversial nominee who failed to gain support, the White House ended up appointing someone entirely different: Brett Matsumoto, a career economist with deep technical expertise.
Matsumoto was praised by University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers, who described him in a YouTube video as “the best kind of nerd” and “a serious statistician.”
A Turbulent Few Months at the BLS
Six months ago, President Donald Trump fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after an unfavorable jobs report.
According to Wolfers, there was no evidence of misconduct on McCandifer’s part.
She simply did her job: compiling and reporting accurate labor statistics.
“Firing the BLS commissioner for telling the truth is something that has simply never happened before in the United States,” Wolfers said.
Trump later defended the decision on Truth Social, saying the BLS had been “failing American businesses, policymakers, and families by releasing very inaccurate numbers.”
He also criticized BLS leadership as “weak and stupid,” using all caps to emphasize his frustration.
The source of his anger? A misunderstanding of how BLS revisions work.
Each month, the agency estimates employment numbers based on incomplete survey responses from businesses.
When more data arrives, the BLS updates its numbers. These revisions aren’t signs of bias; they’re routine updates meant to improve accuracy.
“Revising your view when new facts appear isn’t a scandal. It’s the definition of integrity,” Wolfers said.
The Failed Nomination of EJ Antoni
After firing McCandifer, Trump nominated EJ Antoni to take her place. Antoni had a Ph.D. but no serious research track record.
Wolfers described him as “the least qualified nominee ever in the history of the organization.”
Antoni had never worked in labor economics, managed a federal agency, or published peer-reviewed research that earned widespread recognition.
The nomination faced strong pushback. The public, economists, and Senate members scrutinized Antoni’s background, and it quickly became clear that he lacked the qualifications to run one of the most data-intensive agencies in the government.
Eventually, the nomination was withdrawn.
Enter Brett Matsumoto
Trump’s next pick surprised many. Brett Matsumoto, a longtime BLS economist, is well-regarded among professionals in the field.
He has spent the last 15 years at the agency working on how to measure poverty, the economic impact of COVID-19, and how to calculate cost-of-living changes.
Wolfers said, “Brett, he’s one of us. He’s a nerd. The best kind of nerd. He’s a serious statistician. He’s a career bureaucrat who’s been quietly working at the BLS for the past 15 years trying to improve the quality of our statistics.”
Matsumoto holds a Ph.D., has published in respected journals, and was recently on detail to the Council of Economic Advisers, a temporary assignment meant to bring in technical expertise.
Unlike his predecessor’s short-lived replacement, Matsumoto looks like the kind of nominee any president might pick, someone with deep experience, no public political baggage, and a commitment to statistical rigor.
Why This Could Backfire Politically
While Matsumoto is a win for institutional stability, his appointment may not serve the original purpose of Trump’s shakeup.
The firing and failed nomination made headlines.
But Matsumoto’s quiet confirmation has gone mostly unnoticed. That could frustrate parts of Trump’s base who expected major change at an agency the president accused of failing the country.
Wolfers noted that the nomination of someone like Matsumoto wouldn’t be surprising in a different administration.
“This is incredibly normal,” he said. But normal might not be what Trump’s political brand is built on.
Meanwhile, the episode shows the strength of institutions like the Senate and the broader economic community.
The pushback against Antoni and the eventual acceptance of Matsumoto reflect a functioning democratic process.
As Wolfers put it, “This is a story that tells us that destruction is not a given.”
Why Quiet Competence Still Matters
The BLS plays a crucial role in American economic life. Its statistics shape Federal Reserve decisions, determine cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, and influence everyday business and policy choices.
Undermining its credibility could result in poor decision-making across the board.
In the end, the system held. Despite a tumultuous process, the new commissioner has the kind of qualifications that help maintain trust in government data.
And for all the political drama, the real takeaway may be that boring, qualified public servants still matter.
As Wolfers said in his conclusion: “We did it.”
That quiet win for statistical integrity might not make headlines, but it just might matter more than most of what does.