John,

President Trump just crossed another dangerous line by firing Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after her agency reported slower job growth and downward revisions to prior employment numbers.[1] His reason? He didn’t like the facts.

The BLS is supposed to be independent and nonpartisan. Its mission is to give Americans, workers, businesses, and policymakers the truth about our economy. But by ousting a career expert over inconvenient data, Trump is sending a chilling message that you must toe the party line—even when the facts disagree—or risk losing your job.

Economists across the spectrum and around the world are sounding the alarm. Even former Trump appointees admit this firing undermines trust in one of the most important data sources our country has. Without unbiased reporting, we can’t know how Trump’s tariff hikes, tax breaks for the wealthy, and deep spending cuts are actually impacting working people’s wallets.

If we allow Trump to install loyalists at the Labor, Treasury, and Commerce departments who are willing to “cook the books,” the numbers we depend on to understand the real economy could become nothing more than political propaganda. That’s unacceptable in a democracy.

Tell the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Commerce: Keep your data honest. Don’t cave to Trump’s fear tactics.

These agencies are on the front lines of reporting how policies affect jobs, wages, prices, and more. When they’re run by career professionals, we get reality even when it’s disappointing. When they’re run by political loyalists, we get fiction designed to protect those in power.

Truth matters. Businesses use this data to decide whether to hire or cut back. Policymakers use it to address economic challenges. Workers use it to demand fairer pay and benefits. If those numbers are manipulated, millions of people will make life-changing decisions based on lies.

In authoritarian regimes where inconvenient truths are erased and dissent is silenced, “official numbers” always show victory for the ruler. And everyone else quickly learns to ignore them. That’s not America. Not yet. But unless we push back now, it could be.

Trump’s allies are betting that the public won’t notice if economic statistics quietly shift in their favor. Let’s prove them wrong. Flood these agencies with a clear demand: protect your independence, uphold the truth, and give Americans the real story about our economy.

Tell Labor, Treasury, and Commerce to report the truth, no matter what Trump wants.

Thank you for defending facts and democracy.

John Foti
Legislative Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund