Trump's nominee for labour secretary withdraws nomination

Andy Puzder, US President Donald Trump's nominee for labour secretary, has withdrawn his nomination. Puzder has taken to Twitter to let the public know that he was honoured and grateful for having been considered for the post, but he has opted to let go of the chance to be the next Secretary of Labour.

“I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labour. I’m honoured to have been considered and am grateful to all who have supported me,” he wrote on Twitter late Wednesday afternoon.

Puzder has not provided details about why he chose to withdraw his nomination for labour secretary. But a source close to him told CBS that the CKE Restaurants executive was “very tired” of the abuse that he had to deal with since his nomination late last year.

The fast food chain CEO has faced allegations of domestic abuse. He was also accused of mistreating workers. Puzder was not able to submit the required ethics and financial paperwork, which had caused his Senate hearing to be delayed five times.

Puzder was described as a “sworn foe” of the minimum wage. He was also reportedly not in favour of paid sick leave or maternity leave.

The Independent notes that he would have needed 50 out of the 52 Republicans in the Senate to vote for him, but some Republicans do not stand on his side. Puzder has also failed to win the hearts of several Democrats. One of them is Democratic leader Senator Chuck Schumer, who believes there is no worse pick for Labour secretary than the chief executive of CKE Restaurants.

“No matter how you cut it, there is no worse pick for Labour secretary than Andrew Puzder, and I’m encouraged my Republican colleagues are starting to agree,” Schumer said before Puzder’s Twitter post. Schumer believes that Trump’s pick does not belong anywhere near the Labour Department.

“He does not belong anywhere near the Labour Department, let alone at the head of it. Puzder’s disdain for the American worker, the very people he would be responsible for protecting, is second to none,” Schumer maintained. When he heard the news of Puzder’s withdrawal, Schumer was quick to react, saying it is a “victory for the American worker.”

The White House is also in search for a person to replace former national security adviser Michael Flynn after his resignation. Flynn had reportedly misled White House officials about conversations he has had with the Russian ambassador to the United States.