Women's groups put fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, President Donald Trump's nominee for labor secretary, in their crosshairs because of what they saw as anti-women behavior, but their desired pushback is falling short.
Politico reports that liberal groups have tried to stir the pot surrounding Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants — the parent company of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. But ahead of Saturday's women's march in Washington, D.C., the effort doesn't appear to have gained much footing.
"We are going to make the case to senators and to the public that his confirmation as labor secretary would be a disaster for working women," said Emily Martin, general counsel at the National Women's Law Center, according to Politico.
Critics point to allegations that Puzder physically abused his now ex-wife in the 1980s, reports that Lisa Fierstein later recanted. She even sent a letter to Puzder in November, reiterating her position that he did not assault her.
Other critics note that Carl's Jr. ads feature scantily clad women and contain sexual undertones.
"Puzder is promoting a deeply offensive and misogynistic view of women: that women are sexual objects to be used to sell fast food," National Organization for Women President Terry O'Neill told NBC last month. "It's really disgusting."
The groups' attempt at making a bigger issue out of Puzder's nomination seems to have fallen short though, Politico notes.
A report this week claimed Puzder was considering withdrawing his nomination, but he debunked that and said he's "looking forward to my hearing," which is scheduled for Feb. 2.
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