By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the firing of the previous U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, President Trump nominated E.J. Antoni, the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist, to lead the agency. Critics, including conservative economists, have expressed concern over Antoni’s partisan affiliations and lack of experience in statistics collection. Experts suggest that, if confirmed, Antoni could manipulate jobs data to support Trump’s claims of a “booming” economy, potentially undermining the integrity and reliability of economic data. This move has been widely criticized as undemocratic and economically dangerous, with potential consequences for policymakers and the public.
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Trump Names ‘Utterly Unqualified’ Project 2025 Economist as New Labor Stats Chief. This isn’t exactly surprising, is it? It seems like “utterly unqualified” has become the unofficial motto of certain political circles, and this latest appointment just reinforces that unfortunate trend. The consistent pattern here is pretty clear: the focus isn’t on expertise or experience, but on blind loyalty and the ability to parrot the desired narrative.
It’s hard to avoid the feeling that this move is all about manipulating the numbers. The concern is that the new chief will be tasked with twisting the data to paint a rosy picture, regardless of the real state of the economy. The job seems designed not for competent management, but for a specific political objective, a way to cook the books and make things look better, at least on paper. The impact of this sort of appointment is likely to be felt by those who are most vulnerable. They are also the first targets of misinformation and propaganda, being told their struggles are actually the fault of certain groups or countries.
The issue boils down to a fundamental difference in priorities. Qualified people, who might actually gain respect and build a power base, are simply not a consideration. The only qualification that truly matters in this environment seems to be absolute, unwavering loyalty to a particular figure. This kind of thinking isn’t about governing; it’s about control and maintaining a certain image, even if that image is built on a foundation of sand. It’s also about surrounding yourself with people who won’t challenge you, who will tell you what you want to hear, and who will help you reinforce your version of reality.
One can’t help but wonder if it even matters anymore. With this mindset, it’s almost as if any person, no matter how ill-suited, will do. The implications are disturbing, especially when you consider the potential for widespread economic instability and the inevitable wave of misinformation that will follow. It’s a scenario where reality is intentionally obscured, and those in power are insulated from the consequences of their actions. The market is usually smarter than these unqualified interlopers.
It’s a sad commentary on the current state of affairs when the expectation is that appointments will be based on anything *but* merit. The lack of transparency and the absence of genuine leadership are likely to erode trust in institutions and further polarize society. This appointment, like so many others, appears to be a clear signal that jobs are in the shitter. The fact that this is seen as acceptable, and even expected, is a worrying sign of the times.
It’s like the Peter Principle in action, where people get promoted to their level of incompetence, and in this case, that incompetence is a feature, not a bug. The goal is not to run a functional, well-managed agency, but to create a facade of competence, no matter the cost. The fact that this is happening again makes one wonder if anyone is surprised anymore.
It really does make you wonder if any of the appointments are made based on qualification. The focus on “his people” is clear, and the fact that this is the norm is just disheartening. It seems to be a clear indicator that the administration is not concerned with any measures of competence. This isn’t just about one person; it’s about an entire system where expertise takes a backseat to political expediency.