The nomination brings D’Esposito back into the national political arena after he lost a key toss-up congressional race in New York’s 4th Congressional District to now-Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY).
In this new position, the former congressman will be tasked with providing oversight over the Department of Labor, an important position as the administration and the Department of Government Efficiency continues to gut programs, slash spending, and lay off thousands of federal workers in its quest to cut waste, fraud, and abuse.
Before being ousted, D’Esposito faced severe backlash over allegations he had an affair and then put his mistress, Devin Faas, on the government payroll. He also paid his fiancée’s daughter to work as a special assistant in his district office, spending around $29,000 in taxpayer funds to pay the two women. D’Esposito vehemently denied any impropriety.
D’Esposito’s predecessor, Larry Turner, was one of 17 inspectors general fired by the Trump administration on the grounds that the president no longer believed could perform their tasks — and most were inspectors Trump appointed during his first term.
TRUMP FIRES 17 INSPECTORS GENERAL OVERNIGHT: REPORTS
If D’Esposito is confirmed, he will be reunited with a former House colleague, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Chavez-DeRemer lost her 2024 election to now-Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR).
D’Esposito pitched himself as Trump’s second choice for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration after the top pick, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew his name.
“It is an honor to be nominated by President Trump to serve as the Inspector General of the Department of Labor,” D’Esposito said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “I look forward to continuing my service to the people of our great country in this new role.”