Trump admin live updates: Trump, Schumer trade barbs over Senate nominations

William Beach, the former commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics who was nominated by President Donald Trump and led the agency during his first term, has condemned the firing of his successor, calling it "totally groundless" and warning that it "sets a dangerous precedent."

"The totally groundless firing of Dr. Erika McEntarfer, my successor as Commissioner of Labor Statistics at BLS, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau," he posted on X.

In a longer statement he co-signed, he called on Congress to investigate the matter and "strongly urged" that McEntarfer continue to serve, warning that her firing "undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics" that are "the gold standard globally."

"When leaders of other nations have politicized economic data, it has destroyed public trust in all official statistics and in government science," Beach wrote alongside colleagues from the "Friends of the Bureau of Labor Statistics" group.

-ABC News' Ben Siegel

Trump was asked about the $200 million ballroom construction for the White House and if any of the unnamed donors joining him in paying for the expansion represent donors from foreign countries.

"I never even thought of it. But it doesn't matter. I'm putting up my money," he responded.

Trump continued to sow doubt about jobs numbers making baseless claims that BLS has repeatedly put out numbers that were untrue.

The president said he did the right thing by firing commissioner Erika McEntarfer.

"We need people we can trust," he said.

Trump then said he had three people in mind for the job but when asked if he would put someone with labor statistics experience he responded, "I want to put someone who I can trust."

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer officially responded to Ghislaine Maxwell's attorneys' demands, saying he won't grant Maxwell immunity or send her questions ahead of any congressional deposition.

"Your testimony is vital to the Committee's efforts regarding Mr. Jeffrey Epstein, including the 2007 non-prosecution agreement and the circumstances surrounding Mr. Epstein's death," Comer, R-Ky., wrote.

"These investigative efforts may be used to inform potential legislation to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations."

Comer delayed the previously scheduled Aug. 11 deposition following Maxwell's appeal to the Supreme Court.-ABC News' Lauren Peller