Trump's Labor Secretary Nominee Withdraws

Andrew Puzder, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Labor, officially announced his withdrawal from consideration for the position on Wednesday through a statement. According to Reuters, Puzder, who managed the CKE restaurant chain, accepted earlier this month that he and his wife had employed a housekeeper without a work permit in the U.S. Additionally, American media reported on allegations of past mistreatment by Puzder towards his ex-wife a decade ago. In his statement, Puzder said, 'After careful discussion and consideration with my family, I have decided to formally withdraw my nomination for Secretary of Labor.' Puzder's withdrawal comes just as the Senate was set to hold a vote of confidence for him the next day, and it appeared he did not have full support from Senate Republicans. Democratic senators have been trying to delay the confirmation process for Trump's cabinet members in recent weeks, but due to Republicans holding the majority in the Senate, they have not been able to block any of them. According to Reuters, at least seven Republican senators had stated they would not support Andrew Puzder, which led him to decide to withdraw.