The troubled nomination of Southern California executive Andy Puzder to become President Trump’s Labor secretary collapsed Wednesday amid growing Republican opposition.
Puzder, chief executive of Carpinteria-based CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s fast-food chains, abruptly withdrew his nomination just a day before he was to face his Senate confirmation hearing.
“After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for secretary of Labor,” Puzder said in a statement emailed by his spokesman. “I am 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.”
“While I won't be serving in the administration, I fully support the president and his highly qualified team," Puzder said.
The collapse of Puzder’s nomination comes during one of the toughest periods of Trump’s young presidency. After seeing his controversial travel ban blocked by federal courts, Trump lost one of his early key supporters with the forced resignation Monday night of national security advisor Michael Flynn over Flynn’s false statements about his December contacts with a Russian diplomat.
The loss of GOP support for Puzder was also a sign that Republicans on Capitol Hill — who had previously been reluctant to confront Trump over policy or Cabinet appointments — are feeling emboldened to stand up to the new president. Education Secretary Besty DeVos was confirmed last week thanks only to a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence after two Republicans voted against her.
White House officials appear to have concluded that it was not worth their political capital to fight for Puzder's nomination, which had been dogged by several controversies, including his admission that he employed a housekeeper who was in the country illegally and decades-old allegations of spousal abuse from his ex-wife.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and other Republicans expressed concern over a 1990 episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in which Puzder's ex-wife, Lisa Fierstein, made allegations of abuse.
Last month Fierstein wrote to the leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee saying she had withdrawn those accusations. She called Puzder a "a good, loving, kind man."
Democrats targeted controversial comments Puzder has made in recent years opposing an increase in the minimum wage to $15 and musing about deploying increased automation to his restaurants.
Democrats also highlighted labor law violations at CKE Restaurants. Fast-food workers have staged protests against Puzder’s nomination in Los Angeles and elsewhere.
On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged Puzder to withdraw, calling him "probably the most anti-worker" choice ever for the Cabinet position.
Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump's campaign team. 100,000 people living downstream of the Oroville Dam are now allowed to go home. Enrique Marquez Jr. didn't take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015. When the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump's campaign team. 100,000 people living downstream of the Oroville Dam are now allowed to go home. Enrique Marquez Jr. didn't take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015. When the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump's campaign team. 100,000 people living downstream of the Oroville Dam are now allowed to go home. Enrique Marquez Jr. didn't take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015. When the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
Russia denies that intelligence agents were in contact with Trump's campaign team. 100,000 people living downstream of the Oroville Dam are now allowed to go home. Enrique Marquez Jr. didn't take part in the San Bernardino shooting on Dec. 2, 2015. When the pastor at a Texas church urged his congregation to embrace refugees, 300 members left.
An evangelical pastor loses some Republican members of his flock when his Fort Worth church bucks President Trump and welcomes refugees. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
An evangelical pastor loses some Republican members of his flock when his Fort Worth church bucks President Trump and welcomes refugees. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Here's a look at how the Lake Oroville emergency happened.
Live updates >>
Here's a look at how the Lake Oroville emergency happened.
Live updates >>
It's a busy time in downtown L.A.'s flower district.
It's a busy time in downtown L.A.'s flower district.
Trump's national security advisor Michael Flynn resigns, officials work frantically to drain water from Lake Oroville, Congress has been busy writing bills, and federal officials say they haven't broadened the scope of immigration enforcement raids.
Trump's national security advisor Michael Flynn resigns, officials work frantically to drain water from Lake Oroville, Congress has been busy writing bills, and federal officials say they haven't broadened the scope of immigration enforcement raids.
jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com
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