White House press secretary Sarah Sanders declined to say Monday if President Trump has confidence in Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who gave a plea deal to politically connected sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“That’s currently under review. Because of that, I can’t get into a lot of specifics. but we’re certainly looking at it,” Sanders said Monday during a White House press briefing.
Sanders was pressed specifically on whether Trump has “full confidence” in Epstein, but declined to say.
“I’m not aware of any personnel changes, but again, those things are currently under review,” she said.
Acosta, then U.S. attorney in Miami, reached a plea deal with billionaire Epstein in 2008, allowing him to serve just 13 months behind bars in lieu of possible life in prison after allegations of underage sex with dozens of girls.
Last month, a federal judge found that prosecutors broke the law by reaching the deal with Epstein without first notifying his victims.
Acosta was confirmed in early 2017 in a 61-39 vote, despite the Epstein case long attracting controversy. Acosta was asked questions about the deal at his confirmation hearing.
Epstein has been described as a friend of both Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
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