Labor Secretary resigns amid Epstein scrutiny

By

National News

July 12, 2019 - 4:07 PM

Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who announced his resignation talks to the media, at the White House on Friday in Washington, DC. Photo by Olivier Douliery/ABACAPRESS.COM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said Friday he is resigning following renewed scrutiny of his handling of a 2008 secret plea deal with wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein , who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.

President Donald Trump, with Acosta at his side, made the announcement as he left the White House for a trip to Wisconsin and Ohio. The president said “I hate to see this happen” and he did not ask Acosta to leave the Cabinet. But conservatives, who are unhappy with steps Acosta has taken at the department, had been pushing for his ouster.

Trump, who publicly faults the news media nearly every day, said Acosta put the blame there, too, for his departure.

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