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Breaking: President Trump's Nominee For Labor Secretary Withdraws


Well this has certainly been a day where the news has come quickly and the situation has seemingly changed by the hour.  As a follow up to my post earlier today, President Donald Trump's nominee for Labor Secretary, Andy Puzder, has formally withdrawn as nominee for the position.  He tweeted a message confirming his withdrawal half an hour ago.

Given how tenuous things had become over the past few days, and especially since a handful of Republicans indicated they were withholding support from Puzder's nomination, perhaps this news should not come as much of a surprise.  If anything though, I think it is curious to see how support for Puzder appeared to have eroded so quickly, given that every other of President Trump's nominees for other cabinet positions (in which Democrats had fought against) were able to get confirmed.  

For those readers wondering what ultimately did Puzder's nomination in, it is hard to say. However, readers might recall his prior comments in regard to the minimum wage rate being too high, his suggestion of using machines to replace hourly workers, Democrats mobilizing against the nomination, controversy arising over his prior employment of a housekeeper who was an illegal immigrant, or of course the tape from Oprah Winfrey's show in which Puzder's ex-wife alleged domestic abuse during their marriage (although she later recanted that allegation).  It goes without saying that these issues certainly did not do Puzder any favors.

At this point, President Trump will likely move to appoint a new nominee quickly.  At this point, it is conjecture about who would be nominated, but there is thought that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, John Mackey (founder of Whole Foods), or Kenneth Derr (CEO of Chevron) could be next up.

More on this story Friday.



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