U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Nominee Tells Congress to “Flip the Script”: Denies Data Faking Claim, Emphasizes Agency Independence

June 11 — Brett Matsumoto, the nominee to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), told a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that he found no evidence of employment data manipulation or "falsification" during his tenure, indirectly pushing back on recent controversies surrounding the agency’s official statistics. Earlier, former President Donald Trump fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer over a lackluster jobs report and accused the agency’s data of "artificial manipulation"—but provided no evidence to support the claim, sparking public concern. During the hearing, Matsumoto explained that significant data revisions often stem from technical factors and do not validate allegations of "data falsification." If confirmed, he stated he would prioritize upholding the BLS’s professionalism and independence, ensuring data is released on schedule and in compliance with federal law. He also noted the agency faces structural challenges that could undermine future data quality, including tight funding constraints and declining response rates to its surveys. The survey-based statistical system, he warned, is under long-term sustainability pressure. To address this, Matsumoto advocated for integrating new data sources and technological tools—such as business payroll data and artificial intelligence—to boost the reliability of the agency’s figures. The nomination is now pending further review and a final confirmation vote from the U.S. Senate.