Trump Names ‘Data Nerd’ to Lead Labor Statistics Agency
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- President Trump has nominated Brett Matsumoto, a government economist with a low public profile but recognized within statistical circles, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Matsumoto is Trump's second nominee after E.J. Antoni's nomination was withdrawn due to bipartisan criticism over his partisan social media posts.
- Matsumoto holds a doctorate in economics from the University of North Carolina and has worked at the BLS since 2015, with recent experience on inflation measurement and a stint at the Council of Economic Advisers.
- Trump criticized the BLS in his announcement, calling previous leaders "WEAK and STUPID" and accusing the agency of producing inaccurate data.
- William Beach, a former BLS head
