Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns
Donald Trump’s labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is stepping down, the administration announced Monday.
“Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector,”Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung stated on social media.
“She has done a phenomenal job in her role by protecting American workers, enacting fair labor practices, and helping Americans gain additional skills to improve their lives.”
Chavez-DeRemer is the third cabinet member to depart during the president’s second term, following the homeland security secretary and attorney general. Her exit comes after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies.
Investigation into Misconduct Allegations
The labor secretary and her close aides are currently under investigation by the department’s inspector general over allegations of professional misconduct.
These allegations include claims that Chavez-DeRemer had an affair with a member of her security detail and used government resources for personal travel, while her aides allegedly sought to channel grants towards politically connected figures.
Allegations Against Secretary’s Husband
In addition, the secretary’s husband, Shawn DeRemer, an anesthesiologist, was accused by at least two female staff members of sexual assault. The women reported to department officials that Shawn DeRemer had touched them inappropriately at the department’s building on Constitution Avenue in Washington.
His lawyer rejected the claims, suggesting they form part of an effort to force his wife from office. Police and prosecutors declined to pursue charges. However, the inspector general’s investigation was believed to be nearing its conclusion.
Background and Political Career
Chavez-DeRemer, the daughter of a member of the union, was previously a Republican congresswoman from Oregon. She had support from trade unions in her district but lost her 2024 reelection bid after one term in office.
Her nomination by Trump was welcomed by unions skeptical of the president’s second term agenda for workers. In March last year, the Senate confirmed Chavez-DeRemer 67-32 with more than a dozen Democrats joining Republicans in backing her.
The secretary’s page on the X social media platform states:
“President Trump is the most pro-Worker President in American History. Under his leadership, we’re entering a Golden Age of Economic Prosperity for our Nation’s Workers and Industry.”
Controversial Tenure
Despite this support, her tenure was troubled. In April, three senior women at the labor department lodged civil rights complaints against Chavez-DeRemer.
A New York Times report earlier this year noted:
“In interviews, more than two dozen current and former department employees from across the political spectrum described a toxic workplace characterized by an absentee secretary, hostile aides and a deeply demoralized staff.”
