(Reuters) -Former Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, in her first public remarks since getting abruptly dismissed last month by President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that firing the government’s chief labor statistician is a “dangerous step” that has serious economic consequences.

Trump fired McEntarfer, appointed to the role by former President Joe Biden, on August 1, hours after the BLS reported much weaker-than-expected job growth for July and issued an historically large revision to its employment figures for May and June.

In announcing her firing, Trump accused McEntarfer, without evidence, of manipulating the employment data for political purposes.

“Firing your chief statistician is a dangerous step … It has serious economic consequences,” according to U.S

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