USA TODAY International Edition
Andrew Puzder withdraws as Labor Dept. nominee
WASHINGTON The downfall of President Trump’s nominee for Labor secretary on Wednesday was the latest setback for an administration already reeling from a particularly bad week.
Andrew Puzder, the fast- food magnate Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor, withdrew his name from consideration hours after top Senate Republicans informed the White House he did not have the votes to win confirmation.
Puzder’s withdrawal came two days after Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned amid reports that he misled Vice President Pence about his contacts with a Rus- sian ambassador.
Flynn’s resignation and news reports indicating additional contacts between Trump’s camp and Russian intelligence agents brought new calls from Democrats in Congress for an independent investigation into the president’s ties to Moscow.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R- S. C., Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, appeared to be in jeopardy after Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., announced Wednesday he would oppose the nomination.
Several of Trump’s Cabinet nominees have faced intense fire from Democrats and leftleaning interest groups. Puzder was the first to fall.
“After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for secretary of Labor,” Puzder said in a statement. “I am honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America’s workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity.”
Puzder continued: “I want to thank President Trump for his nomination. I also thank my family and my many supporters — employees, businesses, friends and people who have voiced their praise and hopeful optimism for the policies and new thinking I would have brought to America”