Donald Trump’s pick for Labor secretary Andrew Puzder withdraws his nomination after footage emerges of ex-wife telling Oprah he BEAT her – WBNews

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s top pick for Labour secretary has resigned after footage emerged of his ex-wife telling Oprah Winfrey he beat her. Andrew Puzder, 66, withdrew from consideration today after facing heavy criticism for his business record and personal life. The fast food executive is the first of Trump’s cabinet nominees to withdraw. The President is still reeling from the abrupt resignation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn. He tweeted: “I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor. I’m honored to have been considered and am grateful to all who have supported me”. In a statement to US media, Puzder said he reached his decision “after careful consideration and discussions with my family.” Puzder has faced allegations of domestic abuse and claims that he mistreated workers. Talk show host Oprah recently handed over a decades-old tape of his ex-wife Lisa Fierstein discussing the alleged abuse to the deciding Senate Committee. Divorce records released this week show that Puzder’s ex-wife accused him of “striking her violently about the face, chest, back, shoulders and neck, without provocation or cause,” according to The New York Times. To be confirmed in his post, Puzder needed the support of at least 51 out of 100 Senators. But he was staunchly opposed by Democrats and had lost the support of several of the chamber’s 52 Republican Senators. MORE FOLLOWS LATER For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online, where we will bring you live updates as soon as they…more detail