President Trump's choice for labor secretary withdrew his nomination this afternoon when support from Republican Senators started to weaken. Fast food executive Andrew Puzder was criticized by labor unions and Democrats for his opposition to a $15 minimum wage and other protections for workers. But GOP leaders also raised concerns about his failure to pay taxes for five years on an undocumented housekeeper. Puzder's exit follows the firing of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn after just three weeks on the job. The President fired Flynn on Monday after news outlets reported he discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the United States before Trump was sworn into office.
Speaking today alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said Flynn has been treated "very, very unfairly" by the media. The news comes days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 41 undocumented immigrants in and around the five boroughs. ICE reports 38 of them had prior criminal convictions. Immigration lawyers say they've seen a dramatic uptick in the number of calls from people who fear being deported under a Trump administration.
What do you say? Do you welcome the efforts by ICE to arrest and deport people with criminal records who immigrated to the United States illegally? Do you have questions or concerns about immigration reform under President Trump? What's your reaction to the reported interaction between members of Trump's inner-circle and Russian officials? Are you pleased or disappointed that Puzder withdrew his nomination for labor secretary?
Kimberly’s Thoughts
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us tonight. Your e-mails posted below.
Viewer E-mails
I do not favour the resignation of Flynn or Puzder, do not yield to liberal anti american pressures, I favour the arrest of illegal emmigrant by ICE, after all their presence is illegal, relationship between Russian and Trump he is the president not McCain or Schummer, Joseph from Sunnyside
While there maybe chaos in the Trump Admin. I agree that President Trump makes more sense than Mayor deBlasio when it comes to Refugees and Undocumented Immigrants. Where will the Refugees go? This city is full of homeless Americans? Charlene Midwood
I welcome the "ICE" Police shipping all of the illegals that are criminals out of America, it's about time.. We don't want them robbing our friends and family. The Sanctuary cities program has to be abolished, we heed th Federal Funding from D.C. to improve the infrastructure in the city.I want the MTA to finish building the 2 ave Subway while i'm still alive. Herman, Upper West Side
I am ecstatic that Puzder withdrew his nomination. Hopefully some of the other nominees will do the same.
Flynn was treated very very fairly. Mater of fact, he should be 'locked up'!
There is no immigration if you're here illegal. And yes you should be deported. You come here illegally and stay for 21 years and don't even bother to learn English, but expect special treatment when you are caught. There are American citizens who would like to get away from some of the same problems that these illegals say that they are running from. I don't hear anyone standing up for them. So the illegals should accept that it is now time to return to their homes.
And yes, we still want to see Trump's taxes so that everyone will understand why Trump sees no problems with kissing up to Putin.
Janet
Harlem
Dr rock in FiDi here-i was a huge hillary supporter and always will be. i think trump is terrible and this just shows how unpresidented he is. the fact that his people have to call total lies facts and defend sexually agressive and innapropriate comments is beyond me. i may not have liked obama but at least he reminded me of what it is to be an american. i find trump disgraceful and now im TERRIFIED of places like N Korea with missles that could allegedly destroy nyc and places like russia that wanna mess around with us Michael
I'm responding to your question with a question, "How is President Trump doing?" We are in a city that voted approximately 80% Dem. and a Mayor, whom I will not speak negatively against as to respect to the office, is openly opposed to the president and anything he does. I think he is doing great pursuing everything he promise doing his campaign which had him elected as president of the US> Carol from Queens
TRUMP IS AMAZING FLYNN DIDNT RESIGN ITS JUST ALTERNATIVE FACTS AND FKE NEWS YOU GUYS ARE LIKE CNN YOU HATE HIM AND LET PEOPLE SAY BAD ABOUT OUR LEADER. that is stupid, our president needs to be called Mr President not Trump. Show him some respect and stop laughing at him. you democrats will not get him fired. Trump is our president
The fact that the FBI is investigating Trump's aides regarding any collusion that may have happened and that the CIA is wary of providing top secret intelligence to the White House out of concern that Russia's intelligence has ears in the Situation Room should be of primary concern to all US Citizens. If we cannot trust our own President, there is absolutely no reason to come together and give him any support. Cary, Staten Island
The president, White House press secretary and the president personal advisor, they all liers.. It's just a matter of time for them to mess up big time.
God Bless. Michael
He is doing a terrible job. Racism is at an all time high. It's not difficult to tell who his supporters are; just today at the corner of Vanderbuilt and Myrtle, the operator of a Earth Digger-Bobcat motor vehicle clearly intimidated two senior citizens with canes who tried to cross the street by directing the head of the claw towards the seniors forcing them to run for fear of being hit. The operator had the audacity to yell Trump.
It's just a matter of time--everyone will jump the burning ship with the hidden " bottle top holes'' Only tRump will be left with a minute flame that will slowly fizz out. Ms. T. Clinton Hills. Bklyn.
If you like Pina Coladas and actual politicians and not being terrified of an unpredictable celeberty as commander in chief come with me and escape to my home country of Canada Chris M Uws
I grew up in Jamaica Estates, Queens where the Trump family is from. Donald was known as a spoiled little brat. If he went to public school, he would've been beaten up every day, and would probably be a better person. Instead, we have a president who wants to turn our country into North Korea. On the bright side, he's uniting every sane American against him and hopefully our citizens will become more active in politics now. I'm personally excited about taking him down!.. Ed in Manhattan
It's past time for some transparency in the Trump White House. Where are the tax returns, and how financially and politically entangled is the President with Russia? To quote Senator Baker from the Watergate hearings: "What did the President know, and when did he know it?" This Flynn issue feels like the tip of a massive iceberg. Mike in Washington Heights
In terms of Puzder exiting and not accepting the nomination, I believe it is a good thing because if he was nominated - he would have not supported the increase on minimum wages for the working people which would have been not right to go in. Working Americans today are working hard in this country for a better life and to earn lots of money from their jobs to make a living. Increasing the minimum wage would help all these Americans who are working for a better life. Not lowering the minimum wage and going against it. That is why I believe it is a good idea that Puzder is leaving because otherwise - it would have caused an even greater controversiey than the ones that are already going on. In terms of Donald Trump's first few weeks - I feel that so far - Donald trump has been having lots of bad luck - his ban on Muslim Immigrants on the 7 seven countries did not work out and caused major problems and protests and now this Russia problem. This is not good for Mr. Trump because already - he is having bad luck and it has not been 60 days yet since he was elected in. The country is going in the wrong direction and nothing is improving. It seems like Donald trump is making things go horrible for the nation and causing lots of disaster. That is what I believe. Thanks for taking time to read my thoughts.
Jim Jamaica Queens
The immigration policies being pushed by this administration will do far more harm than good in the long term. All city residents should feel comfortable going to the police when they're in danger, regardless of immigration status. Stories like the one out of Texas, where a victim of domestic violence was picked up by ICE in court while receiving a protective order against her abuser, are a black mark on our country and should give everyone pause. We should be looking to help the most vulnerable among us, we should not be demonizing them. Denis Rockaway Park
What is going on?! You read a physcotic email it was probably Kellyanne Trump and Bannon sitting in the white house trolling news networks.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH TRUMP?
Does he nominate these people to annoy us? Why should someone with no experience be sec of education or a brain surgeon be head of housing? Thats straight up stupid.
You know somethings wrong when us liberals wanted Mitt Romeny, i remembered him in 2012 and thought he was too conservative at least hes normal.
Remember when he was just The Donald and was a loveable actor? He thinks tweeting a pic of him with a taco bowl and writing I LOVE HISPANICS is latino outreach? WHAT? Hes a bafoon! I used to think that there was logic we didnt understand now i see this is just a bunch of baloney! I NEVER liked Pence but now hes what i want as president! Impeach this guy!!! Theres already millions of american calling for it on twitter #Trumpimpeachmentparty
Corgi Midwood
I can't understand why anyone continues to support this completely and incompetent man. Russia our long time nemesis and despised by this country and the people STILL do not see the writing on the wall. Immigrants legal or otherwise have been here for years and exploited by agriculture restaurants and so ON....People need to get off the hatered train and realize that this is a country built of exploitation and specifically people of color!! Ernest Sunset Park