Trump's Labor Secretary Alex Acosta is stepping down amid backlash over Jeffrey Epstein plea deal

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Trump's Labor Secretary Alex Acosta is stepping down amid backlash over Jeffrey Epstein plea deal

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta listen during a meeting of the President's National Council of the American Worker in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. The arrest of billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein on child sex trafficking charges is raising new questions about the future of Acosta as well as Epstein's relationships with several major political figures, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

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  • President Donald Trump's embattled Labor Secretary Alex Acosta is stepping down amid backlash over a secret plea deal he orchestrated with financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a decade ago.
  • Earlier in the week, Acosta signaled he would not step down in a lengthy press conference, but it appears he's changed his mind.
  • Acosta's resignation will go into effect next Friday.

Labor Secretary Alex Acosta on Friday announced he's resigning just two days after a lengthy press conference in which he signaled he would not step down.

Acosta has been facing widespread calls to resign amid backlash over a secret plea deal he orchestrated for financier Jeffrey Epstein roughly a decade ago. Epstein on Saturday night was arrested on accusations of sex trafficking.

Trump appeared with Acosta outside of the White House on Friday to announce his resignation. Trump said Acosta called him this morning and that the resignation is his decision, according to White House pool reports.

This article will continue to be updated.

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