entity

Alex Acosta

Also known as: Alexander Acosta

Entities (2)

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Donald Trump appointed Alex Acosta as his U.S. Secretary of Labor in 2017, as noted in [1] and [2]. Their professional relationship is further highlighted by the scrutiny Acosta faced during his confirmation hearing regarding his past legal work, as described in [3], and reports concerning his vetting process for the Trump administration in [4] and [5]. — 5 supporting facts

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Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein and Alex Acosta are connected through Acosta's role as the U.S. Attorney who negotiated a controversial 2008 plea deal for Epstein, as detailed in [1], [2], and [3]. Their relationship is further defined by public scrutiny and investigations into Acosta's handling of the case, including allegations regarding Epstein's potential intelligence connections as cited in [4], [5], and [6]. — 2 supporting facts

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Facts (13)

Sources

From FOIAs to planes, Jeffrey Epstein's brushes with the CIA sashaingber.substack.com Sasha Ingber · Substack Feb 16, 2026 5 facts

accountSteve Bannon forwarded Jeffrey Epstein an email regarding Alex Acosta in December 2018.

claimAlex Acosta resigned as United States Secretary of Labor in 2019 following widespread condemnation of the plea deal he negotiated with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008.

claimAlex Acosta secured a plea deal for Jeffrey Epstein in 2008, which faced widespread public condemnation.

claimAlex Acosta served as the U.S. Labor Secretary under Donald Trump and resigned in 2019.

accountIn December 2018, Steve Bannon forwarded an email to Jeffrey Epstein regarding Alex Acosta, who served as Donald Trump's Labor Secretary and resigned in 2019 following criticism of a 2008 plea deal Acosta made with Epstein.

Why Epstein's Links to the CIA Are So Important | The Nation thenation.com The Nation Dec 19, 2025 5 facts

accountIn 2019, journalist Vicky Ward reported in The Daily Beast that Alex Acosta, while being vetted for his role as Labor Secretary in the first Trump administration, made comments regarding his 2008 plea deal with Jeffrey Epstein.

claimDuring a House Oversight Committee hearing on September 19, Alexander Acosta denied telling Trump transition interviewers that Jeffrey Epstein "belonged to intelligence" and stated he had no knowledge of whether Epstein was a member of the intelligence community.

accountIn 2019, Vicky Ward reported in The Daily Beast that former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta claimed he had been told to back off from prosecuting Jeffrey Epstein in 2008 because Epstein was 'above his pay grade.'

quoteAlex Acosta claimed that he cut the 2008 non-prosecution deal with one of Jeffrey Epstein’s attorneys because he had 'been told' to back off, stating that 'Epstein was above his pay grade.'

claimAlexander Acosta told his interviewers on the Trump transition team that he was told Jeffrey Epstein "belonged to intelligence" and to leave the matter alone.

Was Jeffrey Epstein, Superconnector of the Rich and Powerful, a Spy? businessinsider.com Business Insider Jul 29, 2025 3 facts

accountIn a 2019 opinion column for the Daily Beast, journalist Vicky Ward reported that Alex Acosta was told that Jeffrey Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to leave the case alone during his vetting process for Labor Secretary in the first Trump administration.

claimVicky Ward stated to Business Insider that the anonymous source who told her that Alex Acosta was instructed to leave the Jeffrey Epstein case alone has never backtracked from that statement.

claimAlex Acosta told the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility in a 2020 report that he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein being an intelligence asset.