President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, alleging without evidence that she had produced unreliable employment data. White House economic advisers Kevin Hassett and Jamieson Greer defended the move over the weekend and said the president would nominate a replacement within days. Economists and former BLS officials warned that removing the agency’s leader could erode confidence in a cornerstone of U.S. economic statistics. William Beach, a former BLS commissioner, and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called for congressional scrutiny, arguing the firing undermines the bureau’s long-standing political independence. The decision came after the latest payrolls report revealed net downward revisions of 258,000 jobs for May and June. Financial markets reacted by marking down the dollar and pricing in a higher probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut as soon as September. Goldman Sachs told clients the dismissal is negative for the currency because it raises doubts about future data, while Nuveen strategist Laura Cooper said investors will view forthcoming figures with heightened skepticism. The greenback extended last week’s losses before stabilizing on Monday; the yen and several emerging-market currencies advanced.