Trump’s labor stats pick seen outside Capitol on Jan. 6; White House says he was 'bystander'

ISTANBUL

E.J. Antoni, US President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was seen in the crowd outside the US Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, though the White House says he was only a "bystander."

Antoni, an economist at the Heritage Foundation and frequent guest on Steve Bannon’s War Room, appears in social media videos on both the west and east sides of the Capitol grounds, according to footage archived by ProPublica and released by the Republican-led House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight.

"These pictures show EJ Antoni, a bystander to the events of January 6th, observing and then leaving the Capitol area," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in an emailed statement Wednesday, according to NBC News report.

"EJ was in town for meetings, and it is wrong and defamatory to suggest EJ engaged in anything inappropriate or illegal."

The videos, including one from Parler showing tear gas in the air as Alex Jones spoke over a megaphone, appear to show Antoni leaving the area as rioters breached police lines.

NBC News also reported he declined to comment. The White House said he did not cross barricades or take part in demonstrations.

Trump nominated Antoni this week after firing former BLS chief Erika McEntarfer, accusing her—without evidence—of "rigging" jobs data.

Antoni has called for the agency to suspend monthly job reports until they are "more accurate." His Senate confirmation could face scrutiny, as past Trump nominees have been blocked over Jan. 6 ties.