Former US President Donald Trump and prominent Republican figures have launched scathing accusations against the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), alleging the agency is deliberately distorting employment data to benefit President Joe Biden's administration.
The controversy erupted after the latest jobs report showed stronger-than-expected employment figures, which Republicans claim are suspiciously timed ahead of the November elections. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare the numbers "totally fake," while House Speaker Mike Johnson called for an investigation into potential manipulation.
Growing Republican Backlash
Several GOP lawmakers have joined the chorus of criticism, with some suggesting the BLS has become politicised under Democratic leadership. "These numbers don't match what Americans are experiencing in their daily lives," claimed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, echoing a common Republican talking point about economic perceptions.
Experts Push Back Against Claims
Economic analysts and former BLS officials have strongly rejected the allegations of data manipulation. "The BLS has maintained rigorous, non-partisan methodologies for decades," said former commissioner Erica Groshen. Independent fact-checkers note there's no evidence to support claims of fabricated statistics.
Political Implications
The dispute comes at a crucial moment in the election cycle, with economic performance being a central campaign issue. Democrats have dismissed the Republican claims as desperate attempts to undermine positive economic news that could benefit Biden's re-election bid.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the accusations "baseless" and "dangerous," warning they could erode public trust in vital government institutions.
