A familiar face returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, with former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito facing a Senate panel as President Donald Trump’s nominee for inspector general of the Department of Labor.
Trump fired 18 inspectors general across the federal government, including Labor’s, shortly after taking office in January, setting off legal challenges. At a hearing in March, a federal judge suggested that while the firings were most likely illegal, requiring their reinstatement would be pointless because Trump could simply fire them again. The case hasn’t yet been resolved, but that hasn’t stopped the White House from moving ahead with inspector general nominations.
D’Esposito described himself as uniquely qualified to serve as Labor’s inspector general, touting his background as a former New York Police Department detective, Hempstead town councilman and representative. “Throughout my career, I’ve built strong, respectful relationships with organized labor. I’ve been a union member my entire adult life and worked side by side with union leaders as both an elected councilman and member of Congress,” he said. “If confirmed, I will bring that same grit, independence and accountability to the Department of Labor.”
