Statement of SPLC Legal Director on the nomination of Andrew Puzder for Secretary of Labor

President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Andrew Puzder as Labor secretary – a position charged with protecting the rights of the nation’s workers – is deeply troubling.

The nomination betrays the central promise of Mr. Trump’s campaign – that he would be a champion of working people, those who have been left behind and seen their wages stagnate as most of the country’s economic gains have gone to people at the top.

People voted for the creation of good jobs and a living wage, but Mr. Puzder adamantly opposes raising the minimum wage to a living wage and ensuring access to overtime pay. He speaks enthusiastically about wanting to replace his own workers with machines.

American workers need someone who is firmly on their side – not a corporate chief who believes they are overpaid. It is hard to imagine someone more ill-suited for the job of improving working conditions, creating opportunities for good jobs, and fighting for working people.