Larson Statement on White House Withdrawal of Embattled Nominee EJ Antoni

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the White House withdrew EJ Antoni’s nomination for Commissioner of Labor Statistics. Antoni is a top economist at the Heritage Foundation, a MAGA think tank, and contributed to the Project 2025 playbook, which included a plan to raise the retirement age to 70.   

“Public pressure still works. When Donald Trump tried to install a Project 2025 lackey determined to end Social Security, Americans noticed,” said Larson. “But make no mistake about it – this President’s war on math is not over. It may have begun when he was desperately looking for a scapegoat after a weak jobs report, but Bureau of Labor Statistics data is what determines the annual cost of living adjustment for Social Security benefits. Seniors are counting on Senate Republicans to hold the line with Democrats against another yes-man willing to doctor data for Trump. They can’t afford ego boosts at the expense of their hard-earned benefits.” 

Following Antoni’s nomination, Larson called on the United States Senate to reject his appointment and led a group of his Democratic colleagues urging U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer to take action to protect economic data from political meddling. 

Former Commissioner of Labor Statistics Erika McEntarfer was fired by President Trump after a weak jobs report. EJ Antoni, President Trump’s initial nominee to replace her, suggested Social Security should be shut down and managed a Twitter account known for anti-gay slurs and misogynistic attacks aimed at former Vice President Kamala Harris.