A new report from top U.S. statistical experts warns that federal data agencies are grappling with a dual crisis of "eroding capabilities" and "collapsing public trust."

The study, led by the American Statistical Association (ASA), highlights that agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and the Census Bureau urgently require additional funding and staffing to address mounting challenges. These institutions produce critical economic and demographic data relied upon by policymakers, investors, and businesses.

Long-standing issues—such as budget cuts and declining survey response rates—have worsened under the Trump administration, compounded by recent threats to their independence and credibility. The report emphasizes the need for immediate action to reverse the "serious decline" in agencies' ability to fulfill their core missions and restore confidence in federal statistics.

Pressure on statistical integrity intensified during Trump's second term, with downsizing efforts leaving gaps in key agencies. Organizations like ASA now track dataset changes to flag disappearing information.

A pivotal moment came in August when Trump fired the BLS commissioner following a weak jobs report, accusing her—without evidence—of manipulating data to embarrass him. Economists and statisticians widely dismissed the claim, while the administration cited large revisions to justify demands for "fair and accurate" figures.

The ASA had initially affirmed data reliability in an interim report but revised its stance after Trump's actions, noting his accusations "undermined future trust" by implying past political interference. Public confidence in federal data dropped from 57% in June to 52% by September, per the report.

Other concerning actions included dissolving advisory committees, leaving leadership vacancies unfilled, and removing datasets without public consultation. Political appointees holding dual roles—such as the Chief Statistician and Census Bureau director—risk further eroding trust, the report warns.

It urges the administration to exempt statistical agencies from hiring freezes and calls on Congress to fund IT upgrades and research to improve data quality. These steps could "begin restoring the system’s ability to deliver timely, relevant, and credible statistics that the nation depends on."

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