EJ Antoni, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was present at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to archived video footage and White House confirmation. The Heritage Foundation economist appears in multiple videos from the day of the attack, raising questions about his nomination to oversee America’s crucial employment data.
White House response and explanation
The White House stated that Antoni was in Washington on January 6 for in-person meetings with his then-employer at an office blocks away from the Capitol, describing him as a “bystander” who wandered over after seeing coverage on the news. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers emphasised that Antoni did not cross any barricades or participate in demonstrations.
The footage shows Antoni approximately an hour after the mob removed police barricades, appearing to leave the grounds as people entered the Capitol building. Video evidence does not show Antoni entering the Capitol structure itself or engaging in violent activity.
Video evidence emerges
Antoni appears in surveillance footage posted online by the Republican-led Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, as well as in a video archived from the social media website Parler. The Parler video, which was also archived by ProPublica, shows Antoni walking away from the crowd on the west side of the Capitol grounds whilst tear gas was in the air.
Additional footage shows Antoni on the east side of the Capitol building, walking south away from the building. At the time these videos were recorded, police were struggling to hold off the mob from taking over the inauguration platform, though the crowd had not yet entered the Capitol.
Background to the nomination
Trump nominated Antoni this week after firing former BLS head Erika McEntarfer, suggesting without evidence that she had “rigged” jobs reports for political purposes. The president’s decision to replace the bureau’s leadership has raised concerns amongst economists about the potential politicisation of crucial economic data.
Antoni, a frequent guest on Steve Bannon’s “War Room,” has long criticised the BLS and suggested significant changes to how employment data is reported. In a Fox News interview on August 4, before his nomination, Antoni suggested the agency should suspend issuing monthly job reports, instead publishing quarterly data until the reports are more “accurate.”
Confirmation challenges ahead
Antoni will require Senate confirmation to take over the BLS, despite Republicans controlling the chamber. Previous Trump nominees have faced difficulties due to January 6 connections, with Senator Thom Tillis indicating that past support for January 6 participants could prove problematic for confirmations.
The Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6 attack was the largest in its history, with prosecutors examining video evidence to identify and charge participants. However, Trump ended the investigation on his first day in office and pardoned all roughly 1,500 Capitol defendants.
Economic data implications
The nomination comes at a critical time for US economic data integrity, with economists expressing concerns about maintaining the independence and accuracy of labour statistics. The BLS publishes crucial monthly employment reports that influence Federal Reserve policy decisions and global financial markets.
Antoni’s previous criticisms of the bureau’s methodology and his presence at the Capitol on January 6 may complicate efforts to maintain public confidence in official employment statistics. The Heritage Foundation economist’s appointment represents a significant shift in the bureau’s leadership approach.
REFH – Newshub, August 14, 2025
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