Labor Secretary Alex Acosta announced his resignation on Friday morning following the controversy surrounding a previous plea deal with billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein that he was involved in.
“Alex Acosta informed me this morning that he felt the constant drumbeat of press about a prosecution which took place under his watch more than 12 years ago was bad for the Administration, which he so strongly believes in, and he graciously tendered his resignation,” President Donald Trump tweeted.
The president added, “Alex was a great Secretary of Labor and his service is truly appreciated. He will be replaced on an acting basis by Pat Pizzella, the current Deputy Secretary.”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1149693838300024833
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1149693842263642113
“I don’t know whether he jumped or if he was pushed. Certainly president put the best face on it today. They said it was a selfless act,” Chris Wallace told Bill Hemmer on Friday about the situation on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom.”
Wallace said Acosta’s press conference last week where he defended his role in the Epstein plea deal “did not play to good reviews.”
The Fox News host added, “There were a lot of doubts about Alex Acosta already.”
Wallace went on to call Acosta “expendable.”
“He was expendable, whether that was transmitted to him or he simply came to that conclusion himself,” the Fox News host said.
Trump assured reporters on Friday that he told Acosta he did not need to resign.
Source: Fox News
“I said you don’t have to do this,” the president recalled telling his former labor secretary.
He added, “I do not think it is right and fair to this administration’s Labor Department to have Epstein as the focus rather than the incredible economy that we have today.”
Jeffrey Epstein was recently indicted on charges of sex trafficking. The financier — who has well documented relationships to influential leaders like Bill Clinton — had already been charged before with soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. That charge led to a 2008 plea deal where Epstein only had to serve 13 months in jail. He also registered as a sex offender.
Acting as the U.S. attorney for Florida at the time, Acosta tried to explain last week that it was his office that fought for Epstein to face consequences for his actions as the state’s attorney’s office wanted him to walk on the charge.
“Simply put, the Palm Beach state attorney’s office was ready to let Epstein walk free, no jail time,” Acosta said. “Prosecutors in my former office found this to be completely unacceptable.”
He added, “There was value to getting a guilty plea and having him register.”
While he defended the plea deal, Acosta acknowledged that Epstein’s alleged victims were clearly not happy with the outcome.
“As you watch these victim interviews, it’s very obvious that the victims feel that this was not a sufficient outcome. These victims were traumatized,” Acosta said.
Acosta had previously said that he is pleased that New York prosecutors are now moving against Epstein with more evidence.
“The crimes committed by Epstein are horrific, and I am pleased that NY prosecutors are moving forward with a case based on new evidence,” he tweeted.
He continued, “With the evidence available more than a decade ago, federal prosecutors insisted that Epstein go to jail, register as a sex offender and put the world on notice that he was a sexual predator.”
The crimes committed by Epstein are horrific, and I am pleased that NY prosecutors are moving forward with a case based on new evidence.
— Secretary Acosta (@SecretaryAcosta) July 9, 2019
With the evidence available more than a decade ago, federal prosecutors insisted that Epstein go to jail, register as a sex offender and put the world on notice that he was a sexual predator.
— Secretary Acosta (@SecretaryAcosta) July 9, 2019
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Zachary Leeman is originally from Maine, he served in the United States Army Reserve for six years. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Alleged child molester becomes suspect in assault against 8-yr-old after bail-out from ‘freedom’ charity - December 6, 2019
- MSNBC analyst announces she’s running for Judge Jeanine’s old DA seat: ‘She will not be my role model’ - December 6, 2019
- ‘Get your words straight, jack!’ Biden loses it when man asks about Burisma, challenges him to ‘pushup’ contest - December 5, 2019
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
