WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Alexander Acosta to be labor secretary at a Thursday news conference.

The nomination comes one day after Andy Puzder, Trump’s first pick to lead the department, withdrew his nomination.

Acosta, who is currently the dean of the Florida International University School of Law, is a former member of the National Labor Relations Board, a position he was nominated to by former President George W. Bush.

If confirmed, Acosta — the son of Cuban immigrants – would be the first Hispanic member of Trump’s Cabinet.

NBC News first reported Acosta as the pick.

He clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito when he sat on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and practiced law at Kirkland & Ellis in Washington.

Puzder, Trump’s first pick to leader the Labor Department, withdrew his nomination Wednesday after Republican senators began telling the White House that they would not back the nominee.

Puzder, the CEO of the company that owns the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast food chains, faced fierce opposition mostly from Democrats in part related to his position on labor issues as well as the fact that he employed an undocumented immigrant housekeeper.

But Republicans, too, had grown weary of the range of liabilities facing Puzder, and senior GOP officials informed the White House Tuesday night and Wednesday that Puzder lacked a viable path for confirmation.

The turbulent nomination process wore on Puzder, too, with aides close to the nominee telling CNN that he was taken aback by the harshness of politics.</s>Andy Puzder, President Donald Trump's nominee for labor secretary, withdrew his nomination on Wednesday amid growing questions about his business record and past personal issues, which drew scrutiny from senators on both sides of the aisle.

Puzder, the head of CKE Restaurants, which owns Hardee's and Carl's Jr., came under harsh criticism from Democrats and liberal groups for his opposition to raising the minimum wage, previous controversial comments and the racy ads his properties have used to promote the fast-food chains.

Personal issues also complicated the nomination. A 27-year-old video from "The Oprah Winfrey Show" surfaced in which his ex-wife made domestic abuse allegations. The Oprah Winfrey Network released the video, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions provided several viewings for committee members.

But it was Republicans who toppled Puzder. On the day before his confirmation hearing was expected to take place, more Republicans withheld support, saying that they'd like to wait until they hear from him in the hearing.

"After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor. 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," Puzder said in a statement posted on his website.

Puzder is the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to withdraw his nomination as his passage in the Senate became more tenuous.

He came under fire from Democrats concerned about his labor practices as CEO of a company that hires mostly low-wage workers and growing concern among Republicans because of his checkered personal past and his hiring of an undocumented worker in his home.

"This is a nominee, who probably is best suited, in terms of experience, knowing what to do at the Department of Labor and how to get the yoke of federal regulations off of everybody. But obviously we'll bring up one or two concerns," said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee with oversight of his confirmation. "I'd like to support him, but I want to go through the hearing."

Roberts was just one of the half dozen Republicans on the committee, which hosts 12 members of the GOP, to express reservations.

Some conservatives also took issue with Puzder's immigration stance, saying it is at odds with Trump. His family also employed an undocumented worker as a housekeeper, though Puzder said he was unaware she was in the country illegally.

Democrats, reinforced by allies in labor unions, pointed to the high number of complaints by women employees who work for his company. They also took issue with his opposition to minimum wage, overtime protections and paid sick days. They also say he objectified women with his racy television commercials.

Puzder has been unenthusiastic about the grueling process of revealing personal and financial information to the Senate for confirmation. His record has been scoured and his workplace practices have been highly criticized.

His confirmation hearing was postponed four times because he failed to turn in the required paperwork.

Democrats and allied groups fiercely opposed Puzder. They bought television advertisements opposing him, including one that launched Wednesday in Maine and Alaska to target Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.

"There is some good news today for women and workers in America," said Sen. Patty Murray, top Democrat on the HELP Committee, on the Senate floor.

The bar to defeat a nominee has dramatically risen because of rule changes in 2013 that allow cabinet nominees to pass the Senate with the support of 51 senators instead of 60, meaning it takes bipartisan opposition to defeat a nominee.

Labor unions also celebrated his withdrawal. Richard Trumka, head of the AFL-CIO, said Puzder's withdrawal is "great news" for workers.

"We rallied in towns and cities across the country, flooded Senate offices with calls and e-mails and highlighted Puzder's terrible track record. The American people want a Labor Secretary who will hold employers accountable for paying a fair wage and providing a safe workplace while ensuring our right to a voice on the job," Trumka said.

President Donald Trump is now tasked with naming a new labor secretary.

If President Trump is remotely serious about standing up for workers, he will nominate someone for Labor Secretary that champions workers' rights rather than suppresses them," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration.

Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, "has had a tremendous career." He noted that, unlike Puzder, Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times and "did very, very well."

If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school.

Fast-food CEO Andrew Puzder pulled out on Wednesday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation.

Trump said he had just spoken with Acosta before coming to the East Room for the hastily arranged news conference, where he made the announcement.

"I wish him the best," Trump said. At a White House event earlier, he had described Acosta — without identifying him — as a "star" and a "great person."

Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W. Bush.

Puzder pulled out of the process on the eve of his confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues that dogged him. Puzder said he had employed — and belatedly paid taxes on — a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States.

Puzder's withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganized nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump's refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration.

With regard to Puzder, Republicans grumbled about the stream of "distractions," including the torrent of criticism about his personal life and record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc.

What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment — well after Trump had become president — of employing a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the U.S.

Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him on Dec. 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found they were owed, but there was no explanation of why he didn't know or pay for five years.

Spokesman George Thompson said Wednesday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated.

It's unclear whether Trump's aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominees. Trump has also taken a hard line on people in the U.S. illegally.

Individuals interviewed during the transition said they were not asked by Trump's team to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny.

Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder lacked the votes in a chamber narrowly split between Republicans and Democrats. There was scant, if any, praise for his vetting. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lamar Alexander, who would have chaired Puzder's confirmation hearing Thursday, issued statements praising Puzder's qualifications but saying they "respect" his decision.

Puzder fell to a relentless series of attacks from Democrats, labor and other groups who opposed him on ideological and personal grounds. They contended that his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing worker protections. They rolled out stories from workers who said they were treated badly at Puzder's company. And they were ready to make his women and his workers part of the hearing on Thursday. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, "I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis." He said the racy commercials for Carl's Jr., one of his companies, were "very American."

Democrats also said Puzder had disparaged workers at his restaurants. He was quoted by Business Insider as saying he wanted to try robots at his restaurants, because "They're always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex or race discrimination case."

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration.

Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, "has had a tremendous career." He noted that, unlike Puzder, Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times and "did very, very well."

If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school.

Fast-food CEO Andrew Puzder pulled out on Wednesday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation.

Trump said he had just spoken with Acosta before coming to the East Room for the hastily arranged news conference, where he made the announcement.

"I wish him the best," Trump said. At a White House event earlier, he had described Acosta — without identifying him — as a "star" and a "great person."

Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W. Bush.

Puzder pulled out of the process on the eve of his confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues that dogged him. Puzder said he had employed — and belatedly paid taxes on — a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States.

Puzder's withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganized nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump's refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration.

With regard to Puzder, Republicans grumbled about the stream of "distractions," including the torrent of criticism about his personal life and record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc.

What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment — well after Trump had become president — of employing a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the U.S.

Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him on Dec. 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found they were owed, but there was no explanation of why he didn't know or pay for five years.

Spokesman George Thompson said Wednesday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated.

It's unclear whether Trump's aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominees. Trump has also taken a hard line on people in the U.S. illegally.

Individuals interviewed during the transition said they were not asked by Trump's team to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny.

Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder lacked the votes in a chamber narrowly split between Republicans and Democrats. There was scant, if any, praise for his vetting. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lamar Alexander, who would have chaired Puzder's confirmation hearing Thursday, issued statements praising Puzder's qualifications but saying they "respect" his decision.

Puzder fell to a relentless series of attacks from Democrats, labor and other groups who opposed him on ideological and personal grounds. They contended that his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing worker protections. They rolled out stories from workers who said they were treated badly at Puzder's company. And they were ready to make his women and his workers part of the hearing on Thursday. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, "I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis." He said the racy commercials for Carl's Jr., one of his companies, were "very American."

Democrats also said Puzder had disparaged workers at his restaurants. He was quoted by Business Insider as saying he wanted to try robots at his restaurants, because "They're always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex or race discrimination case."

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>President Trump is expected to announce his replacement for labor secretary on Thursday. His earlier pick, fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, withdrew his nomination on Wednesday after losing support from members of both parties.

In a congressional listening session Thursday morning, Trump said the "man" he will be announcing is a "great person."

Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants — including Hardee's and Carl's Jr., had been scheduled for a confirmation hearing on Thursday after multiple delays. As NPR's Yuki Noguchi has reported, Puzder faced criticism for his management of the company and for more personal issues, including a now-retracted domestic abuse allegation from his wife and hiring a housekeeper who came to the U.S. illegally.

Among those rumored to be next up for the labor secretary position was Catherine Templeton, former secretary of South Carolina's Labor, Licensing and Regulation Department. Trump's comment Thursday about the nominee being a man apparently puts her out of the running.

Other contenders, as reported by CNBC, include Peter Kirsanow, who formerly served on the National Labor Relations Board; R. Alexander Acosta, also a former member of the NLRB; and Joseph Guzman, a labor relations professor at Michigan State University.</s>President Donald Trump is considering at least four candidates to be his new nominee for labor secretary after his previous pick abruptly withdrew from the confirmation process.

Two administration officials told Fox News late Wednesday that potential nominees include former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) members Peter Kirsanow and Alexander Acosta, former South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Director Catherine Templeton and Joseph Guzman, an assistant professor of labor relations at Michigan State University who advised Trump during his presidential campaign.

Trump met with Acosta and Guzman Wednesday evening, sources with knowledge of the meetings told Fox News. One administration source said that more candidates could still be considered.

Earlier Wednesday, fast-food executive Andrew Puzder abandoned his confirmation effort 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.

A senior Capitol Hill source told Fox News that "about a dozen" GOP senators had reservations about Puzder's nomination and were not prepared to vote to confirm him. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., relayed that message to the White House.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer acknowledged late Wednesday that the administration had seen the writing on the wall, saying "We know how to count."

Democrats and their allies welcomed Puzder's withdrawal, saying his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing protections.

Fox News' Serafin Gomez and Chad Pergram contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.</s>Andy Puzder, President Donald Trump's nominee for labor secretary, is expected to withdraw his nomination on Wednesday amid growing questions about his business record and scrutiny from senators on both sides of the aisle, a senior administration official confirmed to NBC News.

The head of CKE Restaurants, which owns Hardee's and Carl's Jr., came under harsh criticism from Democrats and liberal groups for his opposition to raising the minimum wage, past controversial comments, and the racy ads his properties have used to promote the fast-food chains.

But it was Republicans who toppled Puzder. On the day before his confirmation hearing was expected to take place, more and more Republicans withheld support, saying that they'd like to wait until they hear from him in the hearing.

Puzder is the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to withdraw his nomination.

"This is a nominee, who probably is best suited, in terms of experience, knowing what to do at the deptartment of labor and how to get the yoke of federal regulations off of everybody. But obviously we'll bring up one or two concerns," said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee with oversight of his confirmation. "I'd like to support him, but I want to go through the hearing."

Roberts was just one of the half dozen Republicans on the committee, which hosts twelve members of the GOP, to express reservations.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, said, "I'm going to the hearing tomorrow and I'll make my decision then."

Some conservatives have also taken issue with Puzder's immigration stance, saying it is at odds with Trump. His family also employed an undocumented worker as a housekeeper, though Puzder said he was unaware she was in the country illegally.

Personal issues also complicated the restaurant executives nomination. Puzder went through a messy divorce and his ex-wife made allegations of domestic abuse that were later recanted.

A 27-year-old video of the Oprah Winfrey Show surfaced his ex-wife making domestic abuse allegations. The Oprah Winfrey Network released the video and the Senate HELP committee and Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, provided several viewings of the show for committee members.

Democrats pointed to the high number of complaints by women employees who work for his company. They also took issue with his opposition to minimum wage, overtime protections and paid sick days.

Puzder has been unenthusiastic about the grueling process of revealing personal and financial information to the Senate for confirmation. His record has been scoured and his workplace practices have been highly criticized.

His confirmation hearing was postponed four times because he failed to turn in the required paperwork.

The bar to defeat a nominee has dramatically risen because of rule changes in 2013 that allow cabinet nominees to pass the Senate with the support of 51 senators instead of 60, meaning it takes bipartisan opposition to defeat a nominee.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, said he's "glad" Puzder is withdrawing his nomination.

"The simple truth is that given his relationship to employees at the companies he runs, he was not fit to lead a department responsible for defending workers' rights," Sanders said.</s>President Trump’s choice to run the Labor Department, fast food CEO Andy Puzder, withdrew his nomination on Wednesday after it became clear that the Senate was unlikely to confirm him for the job.

Puzder’s nomination had been in trouble for a while. The CEO of the company that runs the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. burger chains, Puzder faced immediate opposition from labor groups, especially the “Fight for $15” minimum-wage movement, which has gained strength in recent years. But he also drew skepticism from some of Trump’s own supporters over his record on immigration and other issues. And his confirmation hearings were repeatedly delayed as he sought to sell off his restaurant holdings and untangle potential conflicts of interest. His most recent hearing date had been set for Thursday.

In a one-paragraph statement announcing his decision, Puzder thanked Trump for the opportunity but gave no reason for his withdrawal.

Trump’s Cabinet nominees have faced unprecedented opposition in the Senate, but until now, they had all managed to get through. (Several nominees are still awaiting votes.) Puzder, like some of Trump’s other nominees, faced near-unanimous opposition from Democrats. But what doomed him were defections among Republicans: CNN on Wednesday reported that at least four and as many as 12 Republican senators were planning to vote against Puzder’s nomination. In a narrowly divided Senate, that was too much to overcome — Education Secretary Betsy DeVos got just two “no” votes from Republicans and still needed Vice President Mike Pence to break a 50-50 tie in order to be confirmed.

Why did Puzder fail where other controversial nominees succeeded? There is probably no single reason. He, like DeVos, faced well-organized opposition from liberal groups. Unlike DeVos, he was an awkward ideological fit for Trump’s blue-collar base of support. And in recent weeks he has faced a series of scandals or potential scandals: the revelation that he once employed an undocumented immigrant as a domestic worker; claims (since rescinded) of assault by his ex-wife; and accusations of labor violations at his restaurants. Puzder might have survived any one of those challenges; he couldn’t survive them all.

Here are a few more takeaways from Puzder’s downfall:

Democrats are already crowing over Puzder’s withdrawal as another sign the Trump administration is in disarray, but it’s not unusual for a president to have at least one Cabinet nominee withdraw or be voted down. Every president since George H.W. Bush has had at least one of his initial Cabinet nominees not be confirmed. Three of former President Barack Obama’s nominees withdrew their names from consideration.

Still, it’s possible that Trump’s early-term struggles — including the resignation this week of National Security Adviser Mike Flynn after just 24 days on the job — could have made it harder for him to help Puzder once his nomination ran into trouble. When DeVos’s nomination looked like it was in jeopardy earlier this month, the White House and its backers were able to shore up support among Republicans and push her confirmation through. They either couldn’t or wouldn’t do the same with Puzder this week.

When Trump announced Puzder’s nomination in December, “Fight for $15” lept into action. The union-backed minimum-wage movement organized rallies at Puzder’s restaurants, dug into his business record and deluged reporters with press releases. The group claimed victory Wednesday: “Meet the coalition that beat Puzder,” one press release blared.

How much credit does the movement deserve? It’s a safe bet that Fight for $15 and its backers were going to oppose anyone Trump nominated for labor secretary, and will probably oppose whoever he nominates in Puzder’s place as well. And it’s doubtful that the movement had much sway with the Republican senators who ultimately turned the tide against Puzder.

But it’s hard to imagine a better foil for the movement than a fast-food CEO who had spoken out against raising the minimum wage, complained about the Affordable Care Act and threatened to replace workers with robots. And Puzder gave the groups plenty of other ammunition: Labor advocates highlighted examples of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants (most of them owned by franchisees, not CKE Restaurants, the corporate parent run by Puzder) failing to pay their employees what the law required. Franchised restaurants also had a history of disregarding other labor laws and regulations that Puzder would have been in charge of enforcing as labor secretary. In January, a group associated with the minimum-wage movement helped workers file 39 new wage theft and sexual harassment complaints against Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. franchisees.

This much is certain: The existence of Fight for $15 ensured that Puzder would face well-organized opposition from day one, something that hasn’t been the case for all Trump’s nominees.

In some ways, Puzder was a natural fit for Trump’s administration: Like other Cabinet nominees, and like Trump himself, he is a wealthy, media-savvy businessman without government experience. But in other ways he was a less obvious choice.

In particular, Puzder’s public positions on immigration were never entirely in line with Trump’s “America First” agenda. In 2013, Puzder encouraged Congress to pass legislation to create a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants and said he had “firsthand knowledge” of the significant role immigrants play in contributing to U.S. businesses. The restaurant industry relies heavily on immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, for employees; Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. franchisees reportedly had to fire 1,200 undocumented workers in 2014 following a government immigration audit. The National Review, an influential conservative publication, on Wednesday came out against Puzder’s confirmation because of his stance on immigration.

Rumors of Puzder’s possible withdrawal began circulating even before Trump’s inauguration. But two recent revelations further undermined his chances.

First, Puzder revealed last week that he had once employed an undocumented housekeeper — more or less the same “nanny problem” that has felled previous nominees, including Zoe Baird (Bill Clinton’s first nominee for attorney general) and Linda Chavez (George W. Bush’s nominee for labor secretary). Another Trump nominee, prospective Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Jr., appears likely to be confirmed despite having a similar issue. But Ross doesn’t have Puzder’s history of favoring immigration reform. North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis cited Puzder’s undocumented worker as a top reason to withhold support for his nomination.

The second problem for Puzder were the allegations by his ex-wife, Lisa Fierstein, that he abused her during their marriage. While Fierstein later retracted the claims and defended her former husband to senators, there is tape of her making the charges on an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” That tape, if it became public, could have been played many times in 2018 campaigns against Republicans who voted for Puzder. The issue could have posed a particular problem for Republicans given that Trump, too, has been accused of assault, and given that Trump continues to poll poorly among women.

Puzder’s withdrawal isn’t likely to lead to a significant change in direction for the administration’s labor policy — Trump isn’t likely to replace him with a union organizer or a minimum-wage activist, for example. But the decision could make a difference in subtler ways. Trump’s eventual labor secretary, for example, will have to decide what to do about Obama’s decision late in his term to extend overtime pay to millions more workers. (That decision is currently on hold after it was blocked by a federal judge.) He or she will face a similar decision about the so-called fiduciary rule, another late-term Obama decision that would change how financial advisers represent their clients. And the labor secretary can help determine how aggressively the department enforces rules on pay, work standards, worker safety and other issues.

Trump’s choice to replace Puzder, in other words, could have at least some leeway to decide the administration’s approach to labor issues. Even on the minimum wage, Trump’s pick may have some flexibility: Trump took a variety of different positions on the issue during the campaign and at times seemed open to raising the minimum wage, a position that is generally popular among Republican voters.</s>President Trump has named R. Alexander Acosta as his replacement for labor secretary nominee. Trump's earlier pick, fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, withdrew his nomination on Wednesday afternoon after losing support on both sides of the aisle.

Acosta has been dean of the law school at Florida International University since 2009. He has been a member of the National Labor Relations Board and was U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Prior to that, he was an assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division during the George W. Bush administration.

His tenure there was not without controversy. Acosta filed a brief defending an Ohio law that allowed people to challenge the legitimacy of a voter at a polling place, even though the Justice Department was not involved in the case, as the Los Angeles Times reported in 2004.

While Acosta was U.S. attorney, his office was reprimanded by a federal judge after it was revealed that prosecutors there had illegally recorded conversations with the attorney of a doctor accused of illegally prescribing painkillers. Acosta said he had instructed his employees to not do that again.

If confirmed, Acosta will be the first Hispanic member of the president's Cabinet.

Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants — including Hardee's and Carl's Jr., had been scheduled for a confirmation hearing on Thursday after multiple delays. He faced criticism for his management of the company and for more personal issues, including a since-retracted domestic abuse allegation from his wife and hiring a housekeeper who came to the U.S. illegally.</s>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday announced law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration.

Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, "has had a tremendous career." He noted that, unlike Puzder, Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times and "did very, very well."

If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school.

Fast-food CEO Andrew Puzder pulled out on Wednesday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation.

Trump said he had just spoken with Acosta before coming to the East Room for the hastily arranged news conference, where he made the announcement.

"I wish him the best," Trump said. At a White House event earlier, he had described Acosta — without identifying him — as a "star" and a "great person."

Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W. Bush.

Puzder pulled out of the process on the eve of his confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues that dogged him. Puzder said he had employed — and belatedly paid taxes on — a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States.

Puzder's withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganized nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump's refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration.

With regard to Puzder, Republicans grumbled about the stream of "distractions," including the torrent of criticism about his personal life and record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc.

What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment — well after Trump had become president — of employing a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the U.S.

Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him on Dec. 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found they were owed, but there was no explanation of why he didn't know or pay for five years.

Spokesman George Thompson said Wednesday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated.

It's unclear whether Trump's aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominees. Trump has also taken a hard line on people in the U.S. illegally.

Individuals interviewed during the transition said they were not asked by Trump's team to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny.

Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder lacked the votes in a chamber narrowly split between Republicans and Democrats. There was scant, if any, praise for his vetting. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lamar Alexander, who would have chaired Puzder's confirmation hearing Thursday, issued statements praising Puzder's qualifications but saying they "respect" his decision.

Puzder fell to a relentless series of attacks from Democrats, labor and other groups who opposed him on ideological and personal grounds. They contended that his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing worker protections. They rolled out stories from workers who said they were treated badly at Puzder's company. And they were ready to make his women and his workers part of the hearing on Thursday. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, "I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis." He said the racy commercials for Carl's Jr., one of his companies, were "very American."

Democrats also said Puzder had disparaged workers at his restaurants. He was quoted by Business Insider as saying he wanted to try robots at his restaurants, because "They're always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex or race discrimination case."

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
U.S. President Donald Trump names Florida International University College of Law Dean and former National Labor Relations Board member Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor. The President's initial nominee, Andy Puzder, withdrew his nomination yesterday.