Mnuchin Nomination Criticized By Senate Democrats

Steven Mnuchin, Wall Street executive and Secretary of the Treasury nominee, publicly aired his opinions on former President Barack Obama’s contributions to the U.S. economy, expressing that he had done little, if anything, for the American worker.

Mnuchin criticized Obama’s tenure as president, and explained that he sold his investments for collective economic benefit, according to The Daily Caller.

”The average American worker has gone nowhere. The unemployment rate is not real. The average American worker has gone nowhere.”

”That’s why I’ve been willing to sell all my investments, okay,” explained Mnuchin. ”I’ve been willing to give up my businesses. My desire is to work for the American people to create a better economy, and I understand that. I’ve traveled for the last year. I’ve seen this, and the president-elect understands that very clearly.”

Democrats offered harsh criticisms of Mnuchin upon learning that he had been nominated to the position of Secretary of Treasury, citing that he had failed to disclose $95 million of his assets in real estate holdings on Senate Finance Committee disclosure documents.

Furthermore, the former hedge fund manager neglected to mention that he was the director of an investment fund quartered in a tax haven in the Cayman Islands.

”The Treasury secretary ought to be somebody who works on behalf of all Americans, including those who are still waiting for the economic recovery to show up in their communities,” said Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden or Oregon, as reported in The New York Times.

”When I look at Mr. Mnuchin’s background, it’s a stretch to find evidence he’d be that kind of Treasury secretary.”

Mnuchin did not elaborate on policy details, except to say that his focus was to increase economic growth, specifically by about 3 percent to 4 percent, according to the Los Angeles Times.

”Our number one priority from my standpoint is economic growth,” said Mnuchin. ”I believe tax reform will be the first and most important part of that.”

Though blasted by Democrats in the Senate, Republicans supported Mnuchin during the 5-hour Senate confirmation hearing.

Sources: The Daily Caller, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times / Photo Credit: Albin Lohr-Jones/ABACA USA/Newscom via The Daily Signal