Puzder withdraws nomination to be Trump’s labor secretary
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Andrew Puzder says in a statement provided to The Associated Press that he was “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.”
WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary abruptly withdrew his nomination today after Senate Republicans balked at supporting him, in part over taxes he belatedly paid on a former housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States.
Fast food executive Andrew Puzder said in a statement provided to The Associated Press that he was “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.”
The withdrawal by Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc., came on the eve of his long-delayed confirmation hearing. Many Republicans had said they were troubled by his acknowledgement that he had not paid taxes on the housekeeper until after Trump nominated him to the Cabinet post Dec. 9 — five years after he had fired the worker.
One senator, speaking on condition of anonymity because the conversations were private, said six senators had asked the White House to call off Puzder’s scheduled Thursday hearing because they couldn’t see themselves voting for him. That would have put the nomination in jeopardy, since Senate Republicans have only a 52-48 majority and Democrats are solidly opposed.
Puzder also faced other Democrat-led attacks over his business record and remarks about women and workers at his company, which owns Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.
Puzder’s spokesman said the nominee had paid the taxes as soon as he found out he owed them. But the discrepancy remained a growing political problem for Republicans who have taken a hard line on immigration and taxes.
“I want to hear what he has to say about that,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who added he had moved from endorsing the nominee to joining the ranks of GOP senators who weren’t committing to vote for Puzder before the scheduled hearing.
“There are concerns” over “the immigration issue,” said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., who said he shared those concerns and said the Republicans discussed the matter in their caucus meeting today.
Associated Press Writers Alan Fram and Erica Werner contributed to this report.
25 responses to “Puzder withdraws nomination to be Trump’s labor secretary”
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Undocumented worker, that’s how he made his fortune.
Exactly, So why would the Democrats be against him since they are so supportive of the illegal alien worker, I wonder if he paid the taxes would the Dems. have supported him, I doubt it. It just comes down to the Hatred the Democratic party has towards the Country and President Trump.
Old trump trick. Don’t pay taxes until caught, but gotta pay because his government job depends on it. Oh and use.undocumented workers. Labor Sec? Messy.
Don’t pay taxes like Timmy “Turbo Tax” Geithner.
Puzder didn’t pay taxes? Donald says “SMART!”
What’ll happen when we see how smart Donald was to not pay taxes for decades and to do a lot of business in Russia? How smart will that be???
Oh, right. We won’t see his tax returns, so never mind. Unless he falls out of Putin’s favor, then we’ll probably see a whole buncha cool things!
davcon- It might help to read more.
Puzder’s support collapsed this week when Senators were provided a private screening of Puzder’s wife’s testimony about how she was beaten by her husband.
Given that both Mr. Bannon and Mr. Trump have also been accused of beating their ex-wives, folks didn’t think the wife beating trifecta would be such a winner in the Trump administration.
Re-read the article, the “Undocumented” (ILLEGAL) worker was his house-keeper.
You don’t make a fortune by hiring cheap house-keepers.
It that’s all it takes.. heck, I’d hire one too.
Truth-Be-Told, I wouldn’t hire an ILLEGAL to do anything.
Scr*w them all !!!
And the chips keep on fallin!!!!! LOLOLOL
Another billionaire bites the dust.
LOL… he won’t be biting anyone’s dust.
He’s got more moola than you and I will ever have.
And the Chump will never be anything close to a President either so whats your point??
Andrew Puzder did the right thing in pulling his name.
Can you tell us why you feel that way?
Over the past two weeks, with the president’s immigration policies and Russia ties dominating headlines, the benchmark Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index has been setting new highs regularly.
Trump does it again, drains another creature from the swamp…First Flynn now Puzder, next Conway and Spicer…Saving America one creature at a time, who cares who put them in the swamp…#MAGA
KABOOM
As the weaker people drop out, stronger people will take their place. The whining Democrat losers are deep in the hole and can’t stop digging. Trump is playing the game and his team is getting stronger everyday.
So, you are saying Trump nominated Puzder knowing he would not be confirmed, or would pull his name?
So, his second choices are superior to his first picks? A few more rounds and America will have the best national security adviser and labor secretary in history.
This is how Trump voters think. It’s remarkable that they actually make it to adulthood.
Klastri> Since you are one of the more vocal DEMS/LIBS supporter. I take umbrage in your statement regarding Trump voters ability to think and rationalize about what’s going on. I’m quite sure that most of the people that post here are adults. But, I may venture to say some have different opinions. Be more tolerant of others, as I am of you.
Right, you guys don’t get it. This is all part of a well-crafted and cunningly calculated plan to bring us stable government, economic prosperity, international respect, and a return to traditional American values.
All that was lost in the past eight years. It may take some time but eight more years should do it.
cellodad> Agree. POTUS is a clever man, who does not want to let on what he is thinking and what he plans on doing. He is not one to say “let the cat out of the bag.” In due time, things will begin to formulate and gel and come to fruition. All for the betterment of the American people.
Puzder’s support collapsed this week when Senators were provided a private screening of Puzder’s wife’s testimony about how she was beaten by her husband.
Given that both Mr. Bannon and Mr. Trump have also been accused of beating their ex-wives (in addition to Mr. Trump’s admitted serial sexual abuse) folks didn’t think the wife beating trifecta would be such a winner in the Trump administration.