“That is a big crock of lies, that is amazing bullshit,” Reich told “Pod Save America” host Jon Lovett when asked if there’s a “kernel of fact” to claims that there was a problem with the fact-finding agency’s data.
Reich — who headed the Labor Department under President Bill Clinton — called Trump’s claims “not only ridiculous” but “absurd.”
“He is either clinically paranoid — I mean, seriously — or he’s the most devious and irresponsible person ever to hold that office. It may be both,” Reich said.
Reich explained that one of his responsibilities as labor secretary was to protect the BLS, which he described as the “crown jewel” of government data, from “even a whiff of political interference.”
He noted that the U.S. economy — and even the world — depends on the credibility of the numbers coming out of the agency, stressing that it’s “one of the most important places in the entire government in terms of speaking the truth.”
“This is serious, worrisome government that is out to lunch, totally,” he said.
Reich noted that the BLS “routinely” changes data from previous months when it receives new information, noting that the agency strives for accuracy.
He went on to argue that the firing of ex-BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer could lead to questions about the legitimacy of job numbers moving forward.
“This is beyond foolish and dumb, this is crazy,” Reich said.
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He continued, “This administration, this regime — I call it a regime. Trump has done some really dumb things. Obviously, I mean, we all know it. But this is taking — is putting the entire economy in jeopardy.”
Reich’s comments arrive just days after former BLS Commissioner William Beach, whom Trump appointed to the post in his first term, stressed that there’s “no way” the jobs numbers were “rigged” against the president as he claimed them to be.