WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the agency that compiles the closely watched monthly jobs report usually toils in obscurity, but on Friday, the current holder of that job was loudly fired by the president of the United States.
Erika McEntarfer, a longtime government employee, bore the brunt of President Donald Trump’s unhappiness with Friday’s jobs report, which showed that hiring had slowed in July and was much less in May and June that previously estimated. He accused her without evidence of manipulating the job numbers and noted she was an appointee of President Joe Biden.
McEntarfer, a longtime government worker who had served as BLS head for a year and a half, did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press. But her predecessor overseeing the jobs agency, former co-workers and associates have denounced the firing, warning about its repercussions and saying McEntarfer was nonpolitical in her role.
Here’s what to know about Erika McEntarfer:
McEntarfer, whose research focuses on job loss, retirement, worker mobility, and wage rigidity, had previously worked at the Census Bureau’s Center for Economic Studies, the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy and the White House Council of Economic Advisers in a nonpolitical role.
She has a bachelor's degree in Social Science from Bard College and a doctoral degree in economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
McEntarfer was nominated in 2023 to serve as BLS head, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions recommended that her nomination go to the full Senate for a vote.
She was confirmed as BLS commissioner in January 2024 on a bipartisan 86-8 Senate vote. Among the Republican senators who voted to confirm her included then-Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, who is now Trump's vice president, and then-Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who is now Trump's secretary of state.
Before her confirmation hearing, a group called the Friends of the BLS, made up of former commissioners who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, members of statistical associations and credentialed economists, said McEntarfer's background made her a great choice for the job.
“The many reasons to quickly confirm Dr. McEntarfer as the new BLS Commissioner all boil down to this: the agency, like the entire statistical system, is undergoing an intense, significant period of change and Dr. McEntarfer’s wealth of research and statistical experience have equipped her to be the strong leader that BLS needs to meet these challenges,” Friends of the BLS wrote.
William Beach, who was appointed BLS commissioner in 2019 by Trump and served until 2023 during President Joe Biden's administration, called McEntarfer's firing “groundless” and said in an X post that it “sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau.”
Former Labor Department chief economist Sarah J. Glynn, who received regular briefings from McEntarfer about BLS findings, said McEntarfer was generous with her time explaining what conclusions could or couldn’t be reached from the data.
If the data didn’t support something an administration official was saying, McEntarfer would say so, Glynn said. She also never weighed in on how the administration should present or interpret the data, Glynn said — she would simply answer questions about the data.
“She had a sterling reputation as someone who is concerned about the accuracy of the data and not someone who puts a political spin on her work,” Glynn said.
Heather Boushey, a senior research fellow at Harvard University, served with McEntarfer on the White House Council of Economic Advisers and said McEntarfer never talked politics at work.
“She showed up every day to focus on the best analysis and the best approach to her field and not get political. That is what I saw from her time and again. She is brilliant and well-respected among labor economists generally,” Boushey said. “She wasn’t coming into my office to talk politics or the political implications of something. She definitely wasn’t engaging on that side of things.”
Olson reported from New York. Associated Press writer Christopher Rugaber in Washington contributed to this report.
FILE - The entrance to the Labor Department is seen near the Capitol in Washington, May 7, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, today opened its new Intuit TurboTax flagship store in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, reimagining the future of personal and small business tax filing by combining the power of its all-in-one, agentic AI-driven consumer platform and human intelligence (HI) to deliver the ultimate done-for-you tax experience. The opening of the new Intuit TurboTax flagship store at 463 Broadway in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood marks the nationwide launch of nearly 600 Expert Office locations and 20 new TurboTax Stores, successfully completing the expansion phase initiated last year. By seamlessly merging advanced agentic AI with a network of local AI-powered human expertise, Intuit is creating a system of intelligence that anticipates consumer needs, automates the tedium of tax preparation, and gives customers the confidence they need based on their unique tax situation. Intuit’s consumer platform actively works in the filers' best interest to find them more money, easier and faster.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115079410/en/
Intuit TurboTax's Flagship Store in New York's SoHo neighborhood at 463 Broadway, NY, New York
“We are fundamentally redefining what it means to get taxes done by delivering a first-of-its-kind seamless integration of our digital and physical experience,” said Mark Notarainni, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Group, Intuit. “This isn’t just another tax store; it is the physical manifestation of our AI+HI strategy, a modern space where our AI and local human expertise converge to provide trusted, personalized guidance. We are providing the antidote to tax-related stress and anxiety to give filers year-round control, complete confidence, and better financial outcomes.”
The Future of Filing: Combining the Power Of Agentic AI with Local Expertise
With the opening of TurboTax stores, Intuit is fundamentally reimagining the tax landscape, creating a high-touch front door that brings digital filing and in-person expertise together in a seamless, modern experience. A distinct departure from traditional tax offices, these stores are powered by a first-of-its-kind, connected platform uniting Credit Karma and TurboTax together to support customers end to end. Tailored to filers’ unique needs, these physical locations provide them with much-needed time back and peace of mind during an overwhelming season; by eliminating manual data entry through an integrated digital-to-physical journey, Intuit ensures customers can focus on their lives with complete financial confidence.
Key components of the TurboTax store experience:
Nationwide Local Store Locations
TurboTax is strategically opening stores in key markets across the country to bring local expert assistance within reach of millions of filers. Up to 20 stores will open in advance of the tax deadline in the following metropolitan areas:
In addition to these storefronts, TurboTax has activated nearly 600 Expert offices nationwide, increasing its physical presence to offer local, face-to-face support.
Grand Opening Celebration: A Blueprint for Financial Confidence
To celebrate this shift in the tax landscape, Intuit is hosting an exclusive event tonight at the SoHo Flagship featuring Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi and Consumer Group EVP Mark Notarainni. Cultural icon Issa Rae will conduct a fireside chat, and be joined by special guests including Aaron Judge and DJ Mick. The evening will culminate with a musical performance by Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals.
Powering Prosperity: $100,000 Commitment to NYC Schools
As part of the grand opening, Intuit is reinforcing its investment in the New York community and the next generation of filers. Intuit will announce a $100,000 donation to NYCPS. This contribution provides students with the resources to develop financial literacy, capability, and confidence for personal and professional success.
TurboTax partnered with renowned architectural, design, and planning firm, Gensler on the design and architecture of its physical locations, as well as BUCK, a global creative company on the Forum's interactive content design. Leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (JLL) is its brokerage partner.
To find an Intuit TurboTax store, or explore expert offerings, visit TurboTax.com.
For press assets visit our digital press kit.
About Intuit
Intuit is the global financial technology platform that powers prosperity for the people and communities we serve. With approximately 100 million customers worldwide using products such as TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to prosper. We never stop working to find new, innovative ways to make that possible. Please visit us at Intuit.com and find us on social for the latest information about Intuit and our products and services.
The Forum seating area at the new TurboTax SoHo Flagship (463 Broadway), utilizes ambient animations on a 30-foot-wide L-shaped digital screen to provide financial education in a serene environment, proving that human connection, empowered by Intuit's advanced AI, can transform the inherently emotional task of tax filing.
Intuit TurboTax's Flagship Store in New York's SoHo neighborhood at 463 Broadway, NY, New York
