ANALYSIS — After President Donald Trump abruptly fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, his declaration that “we need people that we can trust” has left Democratic lawmakers shaken.

The president said those words as he left the White House on Friday shortly after he ordered the ouster of Erika McEntarfer. While he did not emphasize the latter “we,” to Democrats worried the move was the latest domino toward an authoritarian future to tumble, he didn’t have to.

Trump was asked why anyone should trust jobs data published by BLS going forward.

“That’s the big thing. You’re right. No, you’re right. Why should anybody trust numbers? You go back to … Election Day. Look what happened two or three days before, with massive wonderful job numbers, trying to get him elected or her ele

See Full Page