WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 8, 2025
Following a disappointing jobs report, top White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett has weighed in, calling the data “disappointing” but suggesting a positive revision is likely. He also offered a staunch defense of the Federal Reserve’s independence, a topic that has been a point of tension with the Trump administration.
Headline Points
* Jobs Report Reaction: Hassett’s comments followed the release of the August jobs report, which showed a much lower-than-expected gain of only 22,000 nonfarm payrolls. In an interview with CNBC, he stated that he anticipates the number will be “revised up” later. He attributed the current low figures and recent dramatic revisions to what he called “struggling with bad response rates” to government surveys.
* A “Puzzle for Economists”: Hassett noted the disparity between different data sources, pointing out that while the employer-based payroll survey showed a modest gain, the household survey indicated a much larger increase in employment. He called this a “puzzle for economists” and reiterated the need to modernize data collection.
* Defending Fed Independence: Speaking on “Face the Nation,” Hassett strongly asserted that the Federal Reserve must be “fully independent of political influence—including from President Trump.” He warned that countries where leaders have taken control of central banks have historically faced inflation and economic hardship.
* Contradictory Stance: While advocating for the Fed’s independence, Hassett also acknowledged the White House’s desire for the central bank to be more transparent and accountable. His comments come amid ongoing pressure from President Trump on the Fed to lower interest rates and the recent firing of a Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over jobs report revisions.
