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Wiz Imp

(8,154 posts)

16. Correct. The jobs data is always embargoed until 8:30 am on the first Friday of each month.

Mon Sep 29, 2025, 01:39 PM

Sep 29

BLS, despite being an agency of about 2300 employees, has exactly 1 political appointee - the BLS Commissioner. That position is currently vacant while Trump's nominee awaits Senate confirmation. In the meantime, there is an acting BLS Commissioner (Bill Wiatrowski) who is a lifelong civil servant for BLS who is not now nor has he ever been a political appointee. He has served as acting Commissioner multiple times under both Reoublicans and Democrats.

The commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not even see the jobs numbers before they are finalized. The process is intentionally designed to keep the commissioner, who is a political appointee, at arm's length from the data collection and estimation process to protect the integrity of the statistics.

Key details about the process:

Final numbers are locked in The commissioner is typically briefed on the final numbers on the Wednesday afternoon before the public release on Friday. By this point, the data is prepared, finalized, and locked into the system.

No role in estimation The commissioner plays no role in estimating or manipulating the figures. Their involvement is limited to reviewing the accompanying narrative for the public release, not altering the underlying data.

Internal safeguards The BLS maintains a strong culture of independence and has systems in place to prevent any single person, including the commissioner, from interfering with the data. Former commissioners have stated it would be impossible to manipulate the data without being detected, which would likely trigger whistleblowers and resignations.

Career staff handles data The numbers are collected and processed by nonpartisan career civil servants who have no connection to the political administration.

These safeguards came under scrutiny in August 2025 when then-President Donald Trump fired Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after a weak jobs report and baselessly alleged the numbers were "rigged". However, multiple former BLS officials, including those appointed by Trump, rejected the idea that the commissioner could manipulate the data.

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Bernardo de La Paz

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Highlight:

Labor Department won't release Friday's key jobs report, other data, in case of a shutdown [View all] BumRushDaShow Sep 29 OP

If you believe that I could sell you the Brooklyn Bridge at a reasonable price. nycbos Sep 29 #1

This is totally normal procedure for an October 1 shutdown Wiz Imp Sep 29 #13

Why not just do away with these silly economic statistics all together? LudwigPastorius Sep 29 #2

That may be a very real possibility in the near future. Wiz Imp Sep 29 #15

The stock market would have a meltdown. Doodley Sep 29 #3

Who cares? They'd all be cooked anyway. PSPS Sep 29 #4

Wrong. The career professional economists there are not appointed. Please stop with the disinformation. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 29 #6

Sure, but with Erika McEntarfer gone, who's to know? PSPS Sep 29 #20

Knowledgeable people (Wiz Imp) have told you. That's how you know. Trust Wiz Imp more than tRump Bernardo de La Paz Sep 29 #21

Please stop. You're wrong. Wiz Imp Sep 29 #12

LOL. Yes, trump's tantrum and subsequent firing of Erika McEntarfer means nothing. Gotcha. PSPS Sep 29 #19

Correct. They mean nothing. Later, if economists get fired, they might mean something. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 29 #22

You've already been explained to why you're wrong Wiz Imp Sep 29 #23

The data will be ready Wednesday morning, per normal, could be released then. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 29 #5

"the report is on the Commissioner's desk Wednesday morning BumRushDaShow Sep 29 #11

Correct. The jobs data is always embargoed until 8:30 am on the first Friday of each month. Wiz Imp Sep 29 #16

Oh I know. I post these most months BumRushDaShow Sep 29 #17

Another way is simply go to the bls.gov home page, and keep refreshing progree Sep 29 #24

Oh I know - their X posts include a link to their release BumRushDaShow Sep 29 #25

I figured you knew, but for those who don't - it's the easiest way for DU members and other regular types progree Sep 29 #26

BLS has so much on their site BumRushDaShow Sep 29 #27

Oh, I was only recommending checking bls.gov for the 2 headline numbers and maybe the initial paragraph progree Sep 29 #28

See???? BumRushDaShow Sep 29 #29

Here's a charts package from the BLS that I should include in my job reports links progree Sep 29 #30

Thank you! BumRushDaShow Sep 30 #32

YW :) I added the white unemployment rate to the table: progree Sep 30 #34

Thanks much! That may be all we get out of them this week BumRushDaShow Oct 1 #36

Here's another BLS graphic that is readily available -- the two key graphs over a 2-year period progree Sep 30 #31

Thanks! BumRushDaShow Sep 30 #33

YW :) Yes, for sure progree Sep 30 #35

The Republicans are majorities in both houses and hold the Presidency and the Supreme Court Prairie Gates Sep 29 #7

They don't have 60 votes needed in the Senate. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 29 #8

ISM and ADP release on Wed., Challenger on Thursday, and ISM more on Friday. . . . .nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 29 #9

This is the exact same thing BLS did back in 2013 when a shutdown happened on Oct. 1 Wiz Imp Sep 29 #10

During the last 45 shutdown (2018 - 2019), DOL had an appropriation BumRushDaShow Sep 29 #14

I guess we don't have to pay their salaries then FakeNoose Sep 29 #18