President Trump Announces Acosta Resignation (Update, July 12, 2019, 11:02 am)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a developing story with multiple day/time stamps.

After an hour long press conference on July 10th, Secretary Alexander Acosta will be stepping down in one week. President Trump had come out with a strong statement in support of Secretary Acosta, saying that he is a “great labor secretary, not a good one” adding that he does a “very great job”. But it seems the noise that has accompanied the recent arrest of Jeffrey Epstein has brought too much attention to an Administration already plagued with constant criticism.

President Trump made the announcement Friday morning with Acosta at his side, while making comments to reporters prior to leaving the White House for events in Wisconsin and Ohio. Secretary Acosta had reached out to the President Friday morning, explaining that he thought the best thing to do was step aside.

Acosta Involved in Sweetheart Deal

Secretary Acosta was an integral part of the earlier case against Epstein that resulted in a plea agreement for a felony that required him to register as a sex offender and serve 18 months in prison, of which he only served 13 months, most of which under a work release program, negotiated after Acosta’s involvement. A program that Alexander Acosta called “bs” during his press conference on Wednesday.

None in the media are surprised at the huge response that has followed the announcement of the recent arrest of Jeffrey Epstein in New York. However, many are surprised at the absolute fury directed at those who tried to make sure Epstein served time.

During the press conference, Acosta spent a great deal of time talking about the differences in our Judicial system that have occurred in the last 10 years since this case was first filed. As a survivor of rape myself, I can attest to the fact that most cases are handled exactly as Acosta handled the case against Epstein when he got involved.

Not only was it still perfectly acceptable to further victimize the survivors to make them look bad in front of a jury, most victims were deeply ashamed to come forward and testify. Not until the #MeToo movement were women and men willing to come forward and tell their stories, without shame.

These men hoped that the shame their survivors felt would keep them protected. They could never have expected #MeToo to allow so many the voice they needed to heal and share their experiences in the hopes that it would never happen again to someone else. It will be the downfall of all of those predators who have been operating globally without fear of repercussions. Stay tuned to this developing story for updates.

BREAKING: Acosta Gives Presser (Update, July 10, 2019, 1:54 pm)

At 2:30pm ET Secretary Alexander Acosta held a Press Conference to further explain the decisions that he made in the case of Jeffrey Epstein in 2008.

Secretary Acosta began by reiterating his happiness that the New York State Prosecutors are going forward with the case against Epstein. “His acts are despicable and the New York Prosecution offers an opportunity to more fully bring Epstein to justice.” He added that if any other states are able to bring charges against Jeffrey Epstein, they should consider doing so.

“Facts are important and facts are being overlooked. This matter started as a state matter. In 2006 a grand jury convened and recommended a single charge that would have required no jail time, no registration as a sexual predator and no restitution to the victims. The Florida office was ready to let him walk free, so prosecutors in the Miami AG office got involved because they felt that was unacceptable.”

Unusual Interference

“A state grand jury returned a single completely unacceptable charge. A state official allowed Epstein to self surrender, and so, yes, it was unusual for federal prosecutors to intervene in a state matter such as this. We have seen other cases where state prosecutors have let folks go with no sentence and people shook their heads. In this case, federal prosecutors intervened before the plea was taken and said stop. Because if that plea is taken at the state level you are going to face serious federal issues.”

He completed his prepared statement commenting on the change in our Judicial System between 2008 and 2019, saying “Our juries are more accepting of contradictory statements, understanding that trauma impacted memories work differently, and today our judges do not allow victim shaming by defense attorneys” adding “These cases are very complex, especially when they involve children, protecting their identities was very important.”

Secretary Acosta mentioned numerous times in his response to the press pools questions, that today’s world is very different when it comes to dealing with victims. Because frankly, it is. The victim shaming that would have assuredly come with a trial in 2008 would not happen today in front of a judge. It is very clear from today’s press conference, that Alexander Acosta believes he made the best decision at that time, with the circumstances he was faced with, to ensure there would be some sense of justice.



BREAKING: Acosta Ignoring Calls for His Resignation(Original report, July 10, 2019, 1:54 p.m.)

After the plea deal Alexander Acosta helped facilitate for Jeffrey Epstein has now been discarded, more officials in Washington DC and beyond have called for his resignation. Those calls have not yet crossed party lines, as it is primarily the most outspoken Democrats in the House and Senate who are echoing their demands.

Chuck Schumer said “The newly released evidence of Epstein’s behavior involving dozens of children is sickening, is appalling, is despicable,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. “Epstein should have been behind bars years ago.” on Tuesday following the arrest of Jeffrey Epstein in NY on Saturday July 6, 2019.

President Trump Responds

Meanwhile, President Trump took the chance to respond when one reporter in the Oval Office shouted a question as to whether or not the President would keep Alexander Acosta on as Labor Secretary. Stating “I can tell you for two and a half years he’s had this job; he’s been just an excellent secretary of labor.”

The President added, “I feel very badly actually for Secretary Acosta because I’ve known him as someone who has worked so hard and has done such a good job. The rest of it we’ll have to look, we’ll have to look at very carefully, but you’re talking about a long time ago. And it was a decision made, I think, not by him, but by a lot of people, so we’re going to look at it very carefully,”

Two Presidents Approved Sweetheart Deal

Many individuals were involved in this sweetheart deal, so placing all of the responsibility at the feet of one prosecutor seems reckless and irresponsible. Especially when his involvement in the first Epstein case, the plea agreement, was well known and discussed at length during his nomination hearings for the Labor Secretary position.

As more is revealed, as the arrests and indictments are sure to evolve, we will learn who may have had a hand in pushing for such a lenient plea agreement. We do know it was ultimately approved by the George W Bush and Barack Obama Administrations. Alexander Acosta may have to answer some difficult questions, as may many others.

A senior administration official told FoxNews Kevin Corke that Secretary Acosta is expected to have press availability or make a statement this afternoon at 2:30pm ET. Stay tuned for more details!