EJ Antoni: From Fox Business Analyst to New Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics — Education, First Name, and Career Path

President Donald Trump has nominated economist E.J. Antoni to serve as the new Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the White House confirmed on 11 August 2025. Antoni, currently the chief economist at The Heritage Foundation and a frequent Fox Business commentator, will require Senate confirmation before assuming the role. The appointment follows Trump's removal of Erika McEntarfer on 1 August, after the release of a weaker-than-expected jobs report and downward revisions to previous employment figures.

The BLS is a critical federal agency that produces market-moving economic indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Producer Price Index (PPI) and monthly non-farm payrolls report. These statistics influence Federal Reserve policy, market expectations, and government economic planning.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Mandate and Leadership Structure

The Bureau of Labor Statistics operates under the US Department of Labor and serves as the principal fact-finding body for the nation's labour market and price data. Its reports on employment, wages, inflation, and productivity are relied upon by policymakers, investors, and researchers worldwide.

The Commissioner of the BLS is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a four-year term. However, the President may remove the Commissioner before the end of the term. In the interim, William J. Wiatrowski, a long-time BLS official, has been serving as Acting Commissioner.

Background to the Nomination

The nomination comes in the wake of President Trump's decision to dismiss McEntarfer after July's labour report showed slower job growth and revised previous months' data downwards. The White House cited concerns over the reliability of the numbers, though it did not present evidence of wrongdoing.

McEntarfer's removal drew attention to the traditionally non-partisan nature of the BLS, with economists and political analysts noting that the agency's independence is vital for maintaining public trust in official statistics.

E.J. Antoni's Career Path

E.J. Antoni, whose full legal name is Erwin John Antoni III, currently serves as Chief Economist and Richard Aster Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based conservative think tank. He was appointed to the position in mid-2025 after previously working as an economist at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Antoni has also been a senior and visiting fellow with the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and has taught university-level courses in labour economics, money, and banking. He is well-known in media circles for his frequent appearances on Fox Business and Fox News, where he comments on economic policy and data trends.

Education and Early Background

Antoni earned both his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Northern Illinois University, completing his doctoral thesis in 2020. His academic work centres on fiscal policy and related economic phenomena. The initials 'E.J.' derive from his given first names, Erwin John.

Views on BLS Data and Transparency

In recent years, Antoni has been openly critical of the BLS's handling of data revisions, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. He has argued that frequent and substantial changes to published figures have eroded public confidence in government statistics.

Antoni has also called for greater transparency in how survey methodologies are applied, signalling that he may pursue reforms if confirmed as Commissioner.

Next Steps in the Appointment Process

Antoni's nomination will now be considered by the Senate, which has not yet scheduled confirmation hearings. Until a decision is reached, Acting Commissioner William J. Wiatrowski will continue to lead the agency.

The leadership transition comes at a time when upcoming jobs and inflation reports will be closely scrutinised by financial markets and policymakers, making the role of BLS Commissioner particularly significant.