Thursday, October 1, 2026
Former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a one-term congressman from New York and former NYPD detective, has been nominated by former President Donald Trump to serve as inspector general for the U.S. Department of Labor.
The U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General plays a critical role in promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Labor. The inspector general is responsible for conducting audits and investigations to identify waste, fraud, and abuse within the department’s programs and operations. This position ensures that taxpayer dollars are used properly and that the department adheres to laws and regulations designed to protect workers, employers, and the economy.
If confirmed by the Senate, D’Esposito would succeed Larry Turner, who was dismissed by Trump after he took office.
D’Esposito previously represented New York’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Nassau County’s South Shore, before losing his seat to Rep. Laura Gillen. Prior to his time in Congress, D’Esposito served as a councilman for Hempstead Town.
However, his nomination comes amid controversy. During his re-election campaign, The New York Times reported on allegations of an affair, as well as claims that he placed both his mistress and his fiancée’s daughter on his taxpayer-funded payroll.
Rep. Laura Gillen, a former town supervisor who ran against D’Esposito in both the 2022 and 2024 elections, criticized the nomination in a statement to the Herald.
“If the administration wants to cut waste, fraud, and abuse at the Department of Labor, it’s shocking they would nominate someone who has abused every single position of power he’s ever held to oversee that process,” Gillen said.
D’Esposito, a vocal Trump supporter, appeared at rallies for the former president at Nassau Coliseum and Madison Square Garden. While in Congress, he served on the Homeland Security, Administration, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. He also gained attention as the first Republican to call for the resignation or expulsion of then-Rep. George Santos over falsified claims about his résumé and background.
In Albany, D’Esposito’s nomination has gained the support of State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Republican representing the 9th District.
“Anthony D’Esposito has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, first as an NYPD detective and later as a dedicated representative for Long Island,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick wrote to the Herald. “His leadership and firsthand experience addressing issues that impact working families make him immensely qualified to be Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor. I have no doubt that he will bring the same dedication and work ethic to this role.”
