Not OP, and I think numbers are accurate. But I think "pure cynicism" is too dismissive for an administration that is somewhat open about wanting to keep numbe

Not OP, and I think numbers are accurate. But I think "pure cynicism" is too dismissive for an administration that is somewhat open about wanting to keep numbers lower than their reality and fires inspectors general without proper cause (though DOL IG left by choice). That said, the career professionals in DOL would absolutely leak if they were being told to fudge this data. That's why I have basically no doubts. It's worth adding, there are lots of unique categorical employment issues that have presented themselves during the pandemic that can have large impacts on numbers. There's plenty you could imagine political officials arguing with the career staff about for legit reasons. If this was happening and affecting numbers to a large degree, I think we'd be hearing leaks about that, too.