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Alexander Acosta

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Alexander Acosta
NameAlexander Acosta
CaptionOfficial portrait, 2017
Office27th United States Secretary of Labor
PresidentDonald Trump
Term startApril 28, 2017
Term endJuly 19, 2019
PredecessorThomas Perez
SuccessorPatrick Pizzella (acting)
Office1United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
President1George W. Bush
Term start1June 2005
Term end1June 2009
Predecessor1Marcos Daniel Jiménez
Successor1Wifredo A. Ferrer
Birth date16 January 1969
Birth placeMiami, Florida, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseJan Williams, 2013
EducationHarvard University (BA), Harvard Law School (JD)

Alexander Acosta. He is an American attorney and former government official who served as the 27th United States Secretary of Labor in the Cabinet of Donald Trump. His career has included significant roles as a federal prosecutor, a member of the National Labor Relations Board, and a law school dean. Acosta's tenure in public service was marked by his work on high-profile cases in South Florida and his involvement in labor policy, though it ended amid controversy related to his earlier role in a non-prosecution agreement with financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Early life and education

Born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, Acosta attended local schools before pursuing higher education in the Northeastern United States. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Harvard College, graduating *magna cum laude*. He subsequently attended Harvard Law School, where he was an editor for the Harvard Law Review and received his Juris Doctor degree. His academic achievements positioned him for prestigious clerkships, including one with Samuel Alito, then a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Following his clerkship with Judge Alito, Acosta entered private practice at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C.. He then transitioned to public service, joining the United States Department of Justice during the administration of President George W. Bush. In 2002, he was appointed by Bush to serve as a member of the National Labor Relations Board, becoming the first Hispanic person to hold that position. The following year, he was named Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, overseeing enforcement of federal statutes like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida

In June 2005, Acosta was confirmed as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, one of the nation's busiest federal judicial districts. His office prosecuted numerous significant cases involving Medicare fraud, narcotics trafficking, public corruption, and terrorism. A notable and later controversial action during his tenure was the negotiation in 2008 of a non-prosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein, which resulted in Epstein pleading guilty to state prostitution charges and serving a reduced sentence. Acosta's office also secured convictions against individuals involved in the 2006 Miami terrorism conspiracy plot and pursued cases against Venezuelan money launderers.

U.S. Secretary of Labor

Nominated by President Donald Trump, Acosta was confirmed by the United States Senate in April 2017. As United States Secretary of Labor, he led the United States Department of Labor and oversaw agencies including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Employment and Training Administration. His tenure focused on deregulation, expanding apprenticeship programs, and implementing policies like the Paid Family Leave tax credit. However, his leadership faced increasing scrutiny and calls for his resignation from members of Congress, including Senator Tim Kaine, following renewed media focus on his role in the Jeffrey Epstein case. He resigned from the cabinet in July 2019.

Post-government career

After leaving the Trump administration, Acosta returned to South Florida and academia. He was appointed dean of the Florida International University College of Law in Miami, a position he assumed in the summer of 2020. In this role, he oversees the law school's academic programs and its community engagement initiatives. He also serves on the board of directors for several corporate and nonprofit organizations, maintaining a presence in the legal and educational fields.

Personal life

Acosta is married to Jan Williams, a former CNN journalist and communications professional. The couple has two children and resides in Miami. He has been involved with various civic and charitable organizations in Florida, including those focused on educational access and the arts. His parents' experience as immigrants from Cuba has been cited as an influence on his professional path and public service orientation.

Category:American lawyers Category:United States Secretaries of Labor Category:Harvard University alumni