Trump’s Pick to Lead Labor Data Agency Adds to Fears of Political Interference

On Aug. 1, shortly after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a surprisingly weak employment report, the conservative economist E.J. Antoni joined Steve Bannon’s influential “War Room” podcast.

“Have we put in our own person into B.L.S.?” Mr. Bannon asked Dr. Antoni. “Is a MAGA Republican, that President Trump knows and trusts, are they running the Bureau of Labor Statistics yet?”

“No, unfortunately, Steve, we still haven’t gotten there,” Dr. Antoni replied, going on to say that Erika McEntarfer, the head of the agency, was “incompetent.”

Hours later, Mr. Trump fired Dr. McEntarfer, accusing her, without evidence, of rigging the jobs numbers against him. And on Monday, the president said he would nominate Dr. Antoni to replace her...