Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has departed from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet following a series of investigations into alleged misconduct, including accusations of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate and consuming alcohol during work hours.
The White House announced her departure on Monday through communications director Steven Cheung, who stated that Chavez-DeRemer would be pursuing opportunities in the private sector. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will assume the role of acting labor secretary.
Chavez-DeRemer becomes the third Cabinet member to leave the Trump administration, following the dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March and Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier in the month.
The Labor Department’s inspector general had been examining evidence that Chavez-DeRemer, along with her top aides and family members, routinely sent personal messages and requests to junior staff members. According to reports, her husband and father exchanged text messages with young female employees, and some staffers were reportedly instructed by the secretary and her former deputy chief of staff to give special attention to her family members.
These revelations emerged as part of a broader investigation that began in January when a complaint was filed with the Labor Department’s inspector general. The complaint alleged that Chavez-DeRemer had engaged in a relationship with a subordinate. Additional accusations included drinking alcohol while on duty and directing staff to arrange official trips primarily for personal purposes.
At least four Labor Department officials have been removed from their positions as the investigation advanced, including Chavez-DeRemer’s former chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and a member of her security detail with whom she was accused of having the inappropriate relationship.
Chavez-DeRemer, who was confirmed to the Cabinet on a 67-32 vote in March 2025, had previously served as a House representative from Oregon. She was notable among Republicans for receiving support from several labor unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Her father was a Teamster member, and during her congressional term, she supported legislation to facilitate federal-level unionization and protect Social Security benefits for public-sector employees.
During her tenure as Labor Secretary, Chavez-DeRemer played a significant role in advancing the administration’s deregulatory agenda. The Labor Department moved to revise or eliminate more than 60 workplace regulations deemed obsolete, including minimum wage requirements for home health care workers and individuals with disabilities, as well as rules concerning exposure to hazardous substances and safety procedures at mining facilities.
The department also proposed eliminating requirements for adequate lighting at construction sites and seat belts for agricultural workers in employer-provided transportation. Additionally, the administration canceled millions of dollars in international grants previously administered by a Labor Department division to combat child and slave labor globally.
In response to her departure, Chavez-DeRemer posted on social media claiming that allegations against her, her family, and her team were promoted by what she described as “high-ranked deep state actors” working with news media to undermine President Trump’s mission. She maintained that she was proud of the progress made in advancing the president’s goal to connect business and labor interests while prioritizing American workers.
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana commented on the resignation, stating that the secretary had demonstrated wisdom in her decision to step down.
The Labor Department oversees numerous responsibilities related to the American workforce, including reporting unemployment statistics, regulating workplace health and safety standards, investigating wage and hour disputes, and enforcing laws related to union organizing and wrongful terminations.
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