Breaking Precedent, White House Won’t Publish U.S. Economic Projections This Summer

On May 28, Trump Administration officials revealed that the White House will not publish its regular  national economic forecast this summer between July and August, as they have done for years across many administrations. These economic estimates are used as a calculating device for economic predictions, government expenditures and much more. The data are gathered by expert officials in the Treasury Department, White House Council of Economic Advisers and the Office of Management and Budget.  

The decision has been widely criticized by economists from both parties. Some have said the White House is seeking to hide the steep economic decline during the election season. 

Although there is no law that obligates the White House to publish these projections, the move does breaking precedent. The two officials justified the decision to push back the publication noting that COVID-19 has caused drastic changes to the volatility of the economy making such models difficult to create. The publication is being pushed to early November, right before the election.

Agencies, such as the Congressional Budget Office, are still publishing their numbers even during the coronavirus outbreak.