US President Donald Trump fired the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following a disappointing jobs report. But installing a lackey at the agency could lead policymakers, businesses, and investors to make costly mistakes and lose faith in official data, with far-reaching economic consequences.

WASHINGTON, DC – After firing the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Friday, US President Donald Trump has indicated that he will nominate the agency’s next leader this week. It is imperative that Trump’s nominee be perceived by businesses and investors as nonpartisan and independent of the White House. Because trust in the integrity of government data is a foundation of prosperity, it is in Trump’s direct political interest to appoint an independent BLS chief.