U.S. Labor Secretary Resigns, “all his idea” says Trump
U.S. Labor Secretary Resigns, “all his idea” says Trump
7/13/2019
Author: 777 Media Source
Without coercion from the Trump Administration, U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta has resigned today. Acosta has had all eyes on him since the arrest of financier, Jeffrey Epstein, and his highly controversial handling of the 2007 sex abuse case against the billionaire. His name can now be added to the list of President Trump’s advisors to leave the administration due to controversial circumstances.
Reportedly, Acosta has said that he did not want to be a distraction to the administration’s work and the flourishing economy because of his approach to the Epstein sex abuse case more than a decade ago. Acosta stated,
”As I look forward, I do not think it is right and fair for this administration’s Labor Department to have Epstein as a focus rather than the incredible economy we have today.”
In the past two and a half years, President Trump has had no qualms with firing numerous cabinet and other administration officials when he saw it was fit. The heads of the Interior, Justice, State and Health departments are among those fired or resigned and now Acosta is the latest. Trump made it a point to note that Acosta had made the decision to resign on his own stating,
”Alex called me this morning and wanted to see me.” “I just want to let you know this is him, not me.”
Acosta will officially no longer be a part of the Trump administration seven days from today and the President has now named Deputy Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella as the acting secretary of Labor. Acosta has held the position of U.S. Labor Secretary with the Trump administration since April of 2017 and previously held the title of U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He is now being criticized for being too lenient in his care of the Epstein sex abuse case while he held that title from 2005 through 2009.
Democratic U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse had this to say in a statement,
“Mr. Acosta now joins the sprawling parade of President Trump’s chosen advisors who have left the administration under clouds of scandal and corruption, leaving rudderless and discouraged agencies in their wake. Taxpayers deserve better.”
At the center of the Acosta controversy is hedge fund manager Jeffrey Epstein, who has plead not guilty this past week in New York to federal sex abuse charges. Epstein’s close network of highly influential and extremely wealthy friends includes Britain’s Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton and Lex Wesner, who is CEO of Victoria's Secret. Some critics are saying that the media is what may have pushed Acosta to resign by focusing too much on him and Trump rather than the real crime charges Jeffrey Epstein faces.
Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi had called for Acosta to resign this past Tuesday along with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. According to an article by Reuters, Acosta took to twitter to defend himself against his critics saying that Epstein’s crimes were “horrific” and that he was glad prosecutors were moving forward based on new evidence and testimony that could “more fully bring him to justice.”
Acosta held a new conference Wednesday in which he defended his decision to allow Epstein to plead guilty to state charges in order to avoid federal prosecution. According to Acosta, Epstein would have received an even fluffier sentence had it not be for the agreement. Be that as it may, Acosta would not divulge if he would handle the case the same now given the influence of the #MeToo evolution. The #MeToo movement has led to the demise of so many powerful men publicly accused of sex crimes and now includes Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, 66, has been accused by U.S. prosecutors in New York of sex trafficking in addition to intimidating dozens of girls as young as 14 into vile and depraved sex acts.
Democratic U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee has requested that Acosta testify in Epstein’s trial. In a statement he said,
”Secretary Acosta’s role in approving the extremely favorable deal for Jeffrey Epstein raises significant concerns about his failure to respect the rights of the victims, many of whom were children when they were assaulted.”
The deal has faced heightened scrutiny since it allowed for Epstein to plead guilty to a lesser offense with a punishment of 13 months in jail (with leave during the day) in addition to registering as a sex offender. A federal judge in West Palm Beach, Florida ruled in February that the 2007 arrangement was in violation of the rights of Epstein’s victims.
An investigation earlier this year by the Miami Herald is what caused Epstein’s case and Acosta’s ruling to come under close examination. In a 60-38 vote, the majority Republican Senate approved Acosta’s Senate confirmation but Epstein’s case did come up during the hearing.
Acosta was the first Hispanic member of Trump’s Cabinet and under President George W. Bush served on the National Labor Relations Board and in the U.S. Department of Justice. Despite his many years in politics, Acosta cannot escape his vital role in Epstein’s easy going conviction. Is his resignation necessary? We will see what the future unfolds.
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