In August,
2025, Donald Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics hours after a report showed weak job growth,
prompting outcries from economists to lawmakers and raising
concerns over the integrity of the data going forward.
In Lewis Carroll’s
classic work, the Queen of Hearts famously demanded, “Off
with their heads!”
Increasingly
government leaders worldwide are following suit by removing
the heads of their country’s statistical offices who
report unwelcome, inconvenient data on levels and trends
truthfully.
The Bureau of
Labor Statistics is the country’s official scorekeeper
of labour market activity, employment, job growth, unemployment,
wages, compensation, working conditions, productivity and
price movements in the U.S. economy. Why did the president
fire Erika McEntarfer, the leading official at an agency
known for its rigorous and objective analyses? Because she
factually reported revised statistics on weaker-than-expected
employment data.
The president
claimed the numbers were phony and a part of a conspiracy
to make him and congressional Republicans look bad.
While many economists
found the statistics reported to be entirely credible and
consistent with other evidence of a slowdown in the U.S.
economy, the president falsely accused McEntarfer of having
deliberately “rigged” the employment data in
favor of the Democrats.
Trump’s
actions model those of government officials throughout the
world — and throughout history — who have fired
statisticians for doing their jobs.
In 2022, Turkey’s
president Erdogan fired the head of the country’s
national statistics institute. Again, the reason for the
official’s removal was because Turkey’s economic
statistics agency released an unpleasant report documenting
the country’s soaring inflation rate.
In 2018, the
government leader of South Korea dismissed the commissioner
of statistics. The unusual and sudden political reaction
is believed to be related to unfavorable economic reports
on household income and employment that put the administration’s
income-led growth strategy in a negative light.
In 2016, the
chief of China’s National Bureau of Statistics was
removed from his position. The firing is believed to be
related to concerns about the transparency and reliability
of Chinese economic data.
In 2010, the
head of Greece’s statistical agency was fired and
prosecuted for their insistence on reporting accurate budget
deficit figures.
In 2007, the
president of Argentina fired members of the country’s
national statistical agency because they reported economic
figures that did not align with the president’s desired
narrative that systematically understated the country’s
inflation.
In 1937, Joseph
Stalin arrested and executed a Soviet Union census official.
The reason for his arrest, along with several other senior
statisticians, was that the population census count revealed
a significantly lower figure than Stalin had publicly announced.
Too many government
leaders, instead of addressing the vital issues reported
by statisticians, blame or punish them for delivering unwelcome
news. On top of that, to deal with accurate but undesirable
information, they may issue false data and release erroneous
reports aimed at enhancing their political standing.
According to
the International Statistical Institute, there are 242 national
statistical offices worldwide. These offices are the foundation
of a country’s information infrastructure, providing
essential statistical data necessary for effective governance,
national development and an informed citizenry.
These nonpartisan
entities ensure the integrity of the statistical collection
and compilation process by adhering to recognized scientific
methods, professional ethics and established standards.
Unbiased data is crucial for policymaking and democracy.
Dismissing the
heads of national statistical offices raises significant
concerns regarding the independence, integrity and credibility
of official government data, politicizing agencies that
should remain nonpartisan and reliable.
Targeting statisticians
for honestly and objectively performing their duties is
illogical. It not only hinders the government’s ability
to assess reality and govern effectively, but it also diminishes
public trust in government statements and decisions, fostering
skepticism and rejection.
In essence,
the “Off with their heads!” treatment towards
statisticians should be rejected by presidents and government
leaders, as it aligns more with the tyrannical and impulsive
nature of the ruler of Wonderland.
It is crucial
for congresses, parliaments, courts, the media and especially
the public to strongly oppose these types of decisions.
