How many jobs were added to the US economy in August?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS reported Friday morning that the U.S. economy added just 22,000 jobs in August, falling short of the 55,000 forecasted by ADP. Unemployment ticked up to 4.3 percent, up from 4.2 percent in July.

The report is unlikely to be well received by the White House, which is eager to show that the economy remains strong as widespread tariffs go into effect. Though the White House has argued that tariffs will lead to an industrial and manufacturing boom in the US, as companies reshore production to avoid the duties, the goods-producing sector saw employment fall by 25,000 in August. The process of rebuilding the US industrial base will take years, but if companies foresee an economic slowdown, they could reduce production and lay off workers to cut costs in the short term.

This was the first report since the firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, who was dismissed after revising down the May and June jobs numbers by more than 258,000—an adjustment that reportedly angered President Trump.

McEntarfer’s removal has drawn widespread criticism from former BLS leaders across the political spectrum, including William Beach, a former commissioner who previously worked at the conservative Heritage Foundation. Beach called the firing “totally groundless," warning that political interventions of that nature undermine trust in the agency.

*This is a developing story

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