A former #BLS commissioner told Reuters that staff levels were considerably low at the agency.

"I understand that BLS staffing is down by at least 15% now, that's not reflected in any official numbers yet, because many of them are still being paid," said Erica Groshen. "They are not at work & it is impinging on the agencies. Also the #HiringFreeze means that they can't be replaced."

#economy #tariffs #inflation #recession #TrumpPurge #Trump #IgnoranceByDesign

The #BLS has also announced that it would, effective w/the release of the July #ProducerPriceIndex (#PPI) data in August, END the calculation & publication of about 350 indexes. That would INCLUDE data from PPI industry, #commodity, final demand-intermediate #demand & special index classifications.

#economy #tariffs #inflation #recession #TrumpPurge #Trump

The #BLS like all #government agencies has been severely affected by #MassFirings, voluntary resignations, early retirements & hiring freezes, which are part of an unprecedented campaign by the #Trump admin to drastically reduce the size of govt & remake it. [if no one is able to collect the data & report it, then Trump can say whatever he wants because there won’t be evidence.]

#economy #tariffs #inflation #recession #TrumpPurge

The #CPI data will come under close scrutiny in the months ahead also for another reason. Last week the #BLS, which also compiles other economic releases including the closely watched #employment report, announced the suspension of CPI data collection in 3 cities because of resource constraints [Federal #funding & #layoffs — cuts made by #Trump].

#economy #tariffs #inflation #recession #TrumpPurge
https://www.bls.gov/cpi/notices/2025/collection-reduction.htm

The agency sent “retention incentive” offers to about 800 staffers stationed across the globe, asking them to stay until early September to make sure the agency is appropriately shuttered, acc/to a copy of the notice & 2 #USAID employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation.

#law #Trump #MarcoRubio #SoftPower #ForeignPolicy #Aid #Musk #DOGE #TrumpPurge #idiocracy #kakistocracy