US labour secretary nominee withdraws as Republican senators turn against him

Washington

THE fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination to be US labour secretary on Wednesday as Republican senators turned sharply against him, the latest defeat for a White House besieged by infighting and struggling for traction even with a Republican-controlled Congress.

The toppling of one of President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks was a victory for Democrats, unions and liberal groups that had been attacking Mr Puzder's business record and his character since he was chosen in December.