Amid mounting calls to resign, embattled Labor Secretary Alex Acosta‘s Wednesday afternoon press conference was not as successful as his boss might have hoped. As a federal prosecutor Acosta signed off on the sweetheart deal given to child rapist Jeffrey Epstein. That agreement has been in the spotlight since Epstein was again arrested, this time for sex trafficking.

Legal experts and others focused in part on what they say is the Labor Secretary’s “victim-shaming” and “victim blaming.” He repeatedly said any of Epstein’s victims should come forward with their stories, as if there had not been enough evidence after dozens of victims’ stories were investigated when Epstein was sentenced to a 13-month work release program.

Acosta actually claimed, some believe inaccurately, that had he not intervened in the State of Florida’s case Epstein “would have gotten away.”

MSNBC Justice and Security Analyst Matthew Miller, a former DOJ spokesperson, noted Acosta’s “tone-deaf” attitude toward victims:

Every time he talks about victims, Acosta’s tone is just completely wrong. Never seen a prosecutor this tone-deaf on such an important issue. — Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) July 10, 2019

Don’t know why Acosta doesn’t say this in response to the victim q: “I’m sorry. I tried to do my best for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get a better outcome. I wish I had, and in hindsight maybe I made the wrong decisions. I did the best I could, but you deserved better.” — Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) July 10, 2019

Former SDNY federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah noted how Acosta dropped the ball:

Acosta summary: FL was going to give a bad plea & I was the hero who swept in & gave him a slightly less bad plea because my prosecutors were too scared to go to trial & times were different then & FL did this crazy work release thing I couldn’t possibly have seen coming. 😡 — Mimi Rocah (@Mimirocah1) July 10, 2019

Great point by @Tom_Winter now with @AliVelshi: there was evidence in the FL case that Epstein produced child pornography in his home. Why didn’t he charge that? All the so-called issues Acosta just raised as excuses for dropping the ball wouldn’t be implicated with that charge. — Mimi Rocah (@Mimirocah1) July 10, 2019

Popular.info and ThinkProgress founder:

Acosta’s strategy is VICTIM BLAMING Keeps repeating that victims need to “come forward” Effectively blames reticence of the victims on the sweetheart deal Refuses to apologize to victims — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) July 10, 2019

Former federal prosecutor:

I was a federal prosecutor 12 years ago. Contrary to Acosta’s dishonest claims, the federal rules of evidence & Crimes Victim Rights Act existed, victim shaming was prohibited, US Attorneys did not meet defense counsels at Marriott Hotels & agree to keep their dealings secret. — Christopher Alberto (@ChrisAlbertoLaw) July 10, 2019

Former federal prosecutor:

Acosta suggests that we “expect more transparency” today than we did in 2007. That’s not true. I was a federal prosecutor in 2007 and the Crime Victim Right’s Act (which he violated) was in force in 2007. — Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) July 10, 2019

Former federal prosecutor:

Acosta’s suggestion that his obligation to protect victims was somehow different 12 years ago, because of changing societal attitudes, than it would be today is ridiculous. The more he defends his conduct the worse he sounds. https://t.co/FtylKFASmj — Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) July 10, 2019

Managing editor, Lawfare:

Acosta’s message to the victims is that THEY need to come forward? — Quinta Jurecic (@qjurecic) July 10, 2019

MSNBC producer:

Reporter points out to Alex Acosta that he hasn’t apologized to Epstein’s victims. In his response, Alex Acosta does not apologize to Epstein’s victims. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 10, 2019

Senior Editor for ThinkProgress: