In a blow to U.S. President Donald Trump as he tries to assemble his administration, his nominee for Labor Secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed.
Mr. Puzder’s decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with fallout from Monday night’s abrupt resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, after less than a month in the job.
Multiple controversies
Mr. Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, which primarily franchises fast-food chains including Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr, has been at the centre of a swirl of controversies, complaints and potential conflicts.
He admitted earlier this month that he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper. He faced a flurry of complaints and legal cases brought in recent weeks and months by workers against his business and its franchises.
Mr. Puzder’s withdrawal came one day before his scheduled confirmation hearing.
At least seven Republican Senators, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, declined to publicly back Mr. Puzder in advance of the confirmation hearing.
