Husband of Labor Secretary Barred from Department Over Assault Allegations
Shawn DeRemer, husband of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, has reportedly been prohibited from entering the labor department’s headquarters in Washington following accusations of sexual assault by at least two female staff members, according to reports from , the New York Times, and Politico published on Thursday.
The allegations against Shawn DeRemer coincide with ongoing scrutiny of Chavez-DeRemer, who is facing her own misconduct allegations.
Reports indicate that DeRemer is accused of inappropriate touching of two women within the Frances Perkins Building, the labor department’s main office named after the first woman to serve in the US cabinet. One incident allegedly occurred during working hours in December and was reportedly captured on security cameras. The footage has been reviewed as part of a criminal investigation.
A police report obtained by reveals that the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, received a complaint on January 24 regarding an incident that took place on December 18 at the labor department offices. The report states,
“The complainant reported a sexual contact against her will.”The MPD has declined to confirm the identity of the suspect.
Politico, citing an anonymous source, reported that security personnel at the Frances Perkins Building were instructed in late January to deny Shawn DeRemer entry.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, DeRemer denied the allegations, stating,
“I have not done any of this, and I categorically deny these things. I will absolutely, categorically fight everything in this.”
The labor department has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Background on Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Related Controversies
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a former congresswoman who lost her seat representing part of the Portland metro area in 2024, was nominated to Trump’s cabinet shortly after his election victory. Since her appointment, she has been involved in multiple controversies.
In January, a security officer assigned to protect Chavez-DeRemer was placed on leave amid an investigation into an alleged romantic relationship between them.
Additionally, two of the secretary’s senior aides were suspended as the department’s inspector general investigates claims that Chavez-DeRemer consumed alcohol in her office during work hours and used taxpayer funds for personal trips to locations such as Las Vegas. One of these trips was reportedly taken with a staffer with whom she allegedly had an inappropriate relationship.
The labor department and Chavez-DeRemer’s attorney have denied these allegations.
A biography on the department’s website states that Chavez-DeRemer and her high school sweetheart, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, founded an anesthesia management company and several medical clinics across the Pacific Northwest.
