Labor secretary Acosta announces resignation

Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta will resign effective July 19.

Mr. Acosta, who has headed the U.S. Department of Labor, which includes the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, since April 2017, has been facing calls for his resignation due to his handling of a case involving registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein dating back to Mr. Acosta’s time as the U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Florida.

Mr. Acosta will resign to avoid any distractions to the implementation of President Donald Trump’s agenda, Mr. Acosta said in his resignation letter sent to the president on Friday.

Patrick Pizzella, deputy secretary, will run the department following Mr. Acosta’s resignation, according to a department spokesperson.

OSHA has been without a confirmed leader since the Obama administration, with President Trump’s nominee, Scott Mugno, withdrawing his candidacy in May.