1. United States
2. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent developments in our nation's economic management and labor statistics reporting. The August jobs report, showing only 22,000 jobs added against an expected 75,000, is alarming. This significant shortfall, coupled with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3%, paints a worrying picture of our economic health. What's even more troubling is the context surrounding this report. It comes on the heels of President Trump's dismissal of Erika McEntarfer, a top Labor Department official, under questionable circumstances. The accusation of releasing inaccurate data seems suspiciously timed, especially given the subsequent revisions to June and July data showing 21,000 fewer jobs than initially reported. The nomination of E.J. Antoni to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is equally concerning. His controversial interpretations of economic data raise questions about the future integrity of our labor statistics. We cannot afford to have our critical economic indicators manipulated or misrepresented for political gain. Other economic indicators are equally troubling. Unchanged hiring and firing rates, decreased job openings, and increased layoff announcements all point to a stagnating job market. The impact of federal layoffs, spending cuts, and Trump's tariffs on hiring cannot be ignored. Moreover, the increasing duration of unemployment and more workers dropping out of the labor force suggest deep-seated problems in our economy. I urge you to call for an immediate, thorough, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding McEntarfer's dismissal and the subsequent changes in labor data reporting. We need transparency and accountability in our economic management. Additionally, I ask that you scrutinize Antoni's nomination and ensure that only individuals committed to unbiased, accurate reporting of economic data are considered for such crucial positions. Furthermore, I implore you to push for policies that will genuinely stimulate job growth and economic stability. We need measures that will create real opportunities for American workers, not misinterpretations of data that falsely claim improved job prospects due to restrictive immigration policies. The integrity of our economic data and the health of our job market are fundamental to the well-being of all Americans. Please take immediate action to address these critical issues.