Gavin Newsom Slams Trump Over Firing Of Labor Statistics Chief After Poor Numbers: 'This is What Dictators Do'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed President Donald Trump over his decision to fire the Commissioner of Labor Statistics following a poor jobs report. "This is what dictators do," Newsom said in a social media post.

Trump announced the decision after the Friday report showed that hiring slowed down significantly over the past three months. He singled out Erika McEntarfer, calling her a "Biden appointee." He also claimed, without evidence, that she "faked the Jobs Numbers before the Election to try and boost Kamala's chances of Victory."

"She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can't be manipulated for political purposes," Trump argued. NBC News confirmed that the official was indeed fired.

Bill Wiatrowski, deputy director of the Bureau of Labor statistics who began his tenure during the Obama administration will become acting director while the administration looks for a replacement.

The report in question showed that the U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, well below estimates. Figures for May and June were also revised downwards by more than 200,000 jobs. Trump had praised the reports when they showed favorable figures earlier this year.