Trump fires BLS commissioner after July jobs report
The president implied that the BLS commissioner, long-time federal employee Erika McEntarfer, manipulated the data "for political purposes."
by NBC Staff, NBC Staff · 5 NBCDFWWhat to Know
- President Donald Trump has fired Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after a report released today showed U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs last month. Labor Department revisions showed that hiring was much weaker than previously reported in May and June.
- Part of a busy Friday afternoon, Trump also ordered two U.S. nuclear subs be repositioned following statement's made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.
- Trump’s new tariff rates of up to 41% on U.S. imports from about 70 countries drew expressions of relief today from the countries that negotiated a deal or managed to whittle them down from rates announced in April.
- The president previously announced trade agreements with several countries, with duties set to rise for dozens of other trading partners. Trump's order says the new duties take effect on Aug. 7, instead of the Aug. 1 deadline. He told NBC News Thursday night he is open to additional trade deals.
- Special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee inspected food distribution sites in Gaza earlier today in hopes to secure a plan that delivers more food to the region.
This live blog on the Trump administration for Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, has ended. See more coverage here.