Donald Trump to nominate Eugene Scalia, son of late top court justice, as labour secretary

Trump tweeted news of the planned nomination on Thursday evening, less than a week after his previous secretary, Alexander Acosta, resigned amid renewed criticism of his handling of a 2008 secret plea deal with wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. The financier was indicted earlier this month for sexually abusing underage girls.

“Gene has led a life of great success in the legal and labour field and is highly respected not only as a lawyer, but as a lawyer with great experience” working “with labour and everyone else,” Trump wrote of Scalia, who is currently a partner in the Washington office of the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher firm.

In private practice, Scalia has been known for his challenges to federal regulations on behalf of corporate clients. Scalia’s law firm biography cites his “success bringing legal challenges to federal agency actions”.

If confirmed, Scalia will be returning to the department where he previously served as lawyer in President George W. Bush’s administration, overseeing litigation and legal advice on rulemakings and administrative law. He has also worked for the US Department of Justice. From 1992-93, Scalia served as a special assistant to Attorney General William Barr during his first stint as attorney general.

Trump had previously announced that Acosta would be succeeded in an acting capacity by his deputy, Patrick Pizzella.