Trump Picks Brett Matsumoto to Lead Labor Statistics Bureau

President Trump has named Brett Matsumoto to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Matsumoto is a career economist who has worked at the agency for many years. This comes after the previous leader was asked to leave.
By Newsroom | Politics, Economy |

President Donald Trump has put forward Brett Matsumoto as his choice to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This move follows the earlier dismissal of the agency's previous commissioner. The nomination places a career government economist, with deep ties to the BLS, in a pivotal role for generating key economic data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is responsible for compiling vital information that shapes understanding of the nation's economic health.

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Background of the Nomination

The announcement of Brett Matsumoto's nomination came via a Truth Social post on January 30, 2026. This development occurred after President Trump's decision to remove the prior BLS commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, in August 2025. The dismissal of McEntarfer followed the release of a July jobs report that indicated a significant slowdown in hiring. Reports suggest Trump had previously voiced frustration with the BLS's monthly jobs numbers, believing they painted an unfavorable picture of his administration.

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  • Previous Nominee: Before Matsumoto, Trump had nominated E.J. Antoni, an economist affiliated with the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, for the BLS leadership position in August 2025. However, Antoni's nomination did not proceed to a confirmed leadership role at the BLS under this nomination cycle.

  • Matsumoto's Career: Brett Matsumoto is described as a veteran economist with extensive experience within the federal government. He has worked as a supervisory research economist at the BLS since 2015 and most recently served as a senior economist for the White House Council of Economic Advisers. His background indicates a sustained involvement in the operational aspects of economic data collection and analysis.

Key Details of the Nominee

Brett Matsumoto's professional background suggests a focus on the technical aspects of economic statistics. He is characterized as a "data nerd" and a "data expert," underscoring an anticipated emphasis on the methodology and integrity of the data produced by the BLS.

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  • Expertise: Matsumoto is noted for his expertise in "data measurement" and his deep ties to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, having been part of the agency for a significant period.

  • Public Profile: Compared to some other potential nominees, Matsumoto appears to have a more limited public profile, which could signal a focus on the internal workings of the agency.

  • Industry Reaction: Early reactions from industry leaders to Matsumoto's nomination have been positive, with some indicating a belief that his appointment could bring stability to the BLS.

The Role of the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a principal federal agency tasked with measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and economic indicators. Its outputs are fundamental to economic policy and public understanding.

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  • Core Functions: The BLS is the primary source for critical economic data, including:

  • Monthly jobs reports

  • Unemployment rate calculations

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation

  • Wage growth and productivity figures

  • Impact of Data: The statistics compiled by the BLS influence a wide array of decisions, from federal policymaking and interest rate adjustments by the Federal Reserve to Wall Street forecasts and public perception of the economy.

Implications of the Nomination

The nomination of Brett Matsumoto, a career economist with established ties to the BLS, suggests a potential emphasis on continuity and established methodologies within the agency. This contrasts with the previous nomination of an economist from a conservative think tank.

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  • Continuity vs. Change: An internal appointment like Matsumoto's could signal a commitment to maintaining existing data standards and reporting practices. This may be viewed by some as a stabilizing factor, particularly given the agency's role in producing widely scrutinized economic indicators.

  • Data Integrity: The focus on Matsumoto's expertise in data measurement raises questions about the administration's priorities for the BLS. Is the emphasis on reinforcing the agency's technical operations, or does it indicate a particular view on how economic data should be interpreted and presented?

  • Relationship with Previous Commissioner: The circumstances surrounding Erika McEntarfer's dismissal, immediately following a jobs report, highlight the sensitivity of BLS data to political pressures. Will Matsumoto's tenure be characterized by an uninterrupted adherence to established statistical practices, or will the dynamics that led to his predecessor's departure continue to exert influence?

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Brett Matsumoto?
Brett Matsumoto is a career economist who has worked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics since 2015. He also worked for the White House Council of Economic Advisers.
Q: Why is this nomination important?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gives out important information about jobs, prices, and the economy. This helps people understand how the country is doing.
Q: Why was the last leader of the BLS removed?
The previous leader, Erika McEntarfer, was removed after a jobs report showed hiring was slowing down. President Trump had expressed unhappiness with the jobs numbers.
Q: What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics do?
The BLS collects and shares data about jobs, wages, prices, and inflation. This information is used by the government and businesses to make decisions.