Summary: After his first choice nominee withdrew his name, President Trump didn’t waste any time throwing out another nominee to fill the role as labor secretary on his Cabinet.
One of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees withdrew his name yesterday as it became clear that he would receive the necessary support to be accepted into the role. Former U.S. attorney Alexander Acosta replaced the first pick as the labor secretary nominee when scrutiny caused many Republicans to withdraw support for the pick.
Acosta has served as an assistant attorney general under President George W. Bush for the Justice Department’s civil rights division. He was also a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and is now the dean of Florida International University’s law school. He is also a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice A. Alito Jr.
Trump’s first pick was fast-food chief executive Andrew Puzder but Puzder withdrew his name when it came clear that he would not receive enough support to be confirmed. Scrutiny into his personal life, specifically an ugly divorce over 25 years ago that involved allegations of domestic-violence that have since been retracted, was causing Puzder to decline as a good pick.
Democrats and other critics opposed Puzder’s approach to wage and labor regulations, his support of an overhaul to immigration law, and his admission to hiring an illegal to work in his home.
In the end, Acosta is appearing to be a stronger nominee. He brings to the table public service experience. He studied at Harvard College and received his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He worked for a time with Kirkland & Ellis and taught at George Mason University Law School.
Do you think Acosta will receive the support he needs? Tell us in the comments below.
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