Trump Appoints ‘Data Nerd’ as Head of Labor Statistics Agency

President Trump has nominated Brett Matsumoto, a government economist, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This decision comes six months after the president dismissed the previous head over unsatisfactory job reports. Matsumoto is Trump’s second nominee for the agency, which is responsible for labor market data, inflation metrics, and other economic indicators.

Background of the Appointment

In August, the president initially announced E.J. Antoni as the nominee but later withdrew that nomination due to bipartisan criticism. Matsumoto, however, is less likely to encounter similar opposition. While he has a low public profile, he is respected among statistical experts for his prior activity on social media, where he shared insights about statistical data. This contrasts sharply with Antoni, whose posts were often perceived as skewed to support partisan views.

Trump’s Critique of the Bureau

Trump made his announcement on Truth Social, reiterating accusations against the BLS’s leadership over “WEAK and STUPID” oversight and “VERY inaccurate numbers.” Matsumoto’s confirmation by the Senate is pending. He earned a doctorate in economics from the University of North Carolina in 2015 and has been associated with the BLS since then, focusing on inflation research.

Expert Opinions on the Nomination

William Beach, who previously led the BLS, supports Matsumoto’s appointment, noting his conventional approach as a positive shift. Erica Groshen, who served as commissioner during the Obama administration, also commended Matsumoto, stating, “He’s a B.L.S.-er, he’s a data nerd.” Omair Sharif, founder of Inflation Insights, described Matsumoto as a “smart, skilled research economist” adept in data intricacies, especially concerning inflation.

Challenges Faced by the Bureau

Matsumoto’s career path mirrors that of Erika McEntarfer, the former commissioner whom Trump dismissed after poor employment reports. Despite accusations against McEntarfer of bias—claims widely discredited—concerns grew about potential political interference in the agency. The current interim management, under William Wiatrowski, has kept the agency functioning since August, though it has faced recent challenges.

• High staff turnover and low morale within the bureau
• Vacant senior positions and reduced data collection capabilities
• Impact from the recent federal government shutdown, delaying data releases
• For the first time in 77 years, the bureau did not report the unemployment rate for October

The BLS is also navigating broader, pre-existing issues, such as shrinking budgets and declining survey response rates. Experts emphasize the need for modernized data collection methodologies that rely less on traditional surveys. However, these reforms will be challenging without public trust in the agency’s impartiality and accuracy.

Groshen argues that restoring this trust will require professional competence and transparency from Matsumoto. His ability to achieve this will be critical as he steps into this pivotal role.