Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned Monday following an intensifying federal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct, including the abuse of government resources and an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
Chavez-DeRemer’s departure marks the third high-profile exit from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet in less than two months, following the removals of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed the resignation, stating that Chavez-DeRemer will transition to the private sector. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary.
The resignation follows a series of damaging reports regarding Chavez-DeRemer’s leadership. According to Labor Department Inspector General records, investigators are reviewing evidence that the Secretary and her inner circle used junior staff to perform personal errands for her family.
Sources familiar with the probe indicate that Chavez-DeRemer’s husband and father allegedly sent direct messages to young female staffers, who were instructed by senior officials to “pay attention” to the family’s needs. These revelations surfaced alongside separate allegations regarding:
- An undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate.
- The consumption of alcohol while on official duty.
- The use of taxpayer-funded travel for primarily personal objectives.
Chavez-DeRemer has denied the claims, attributing the investigation to “deep state actors” and “one-sided news media” in a statement posted to her personal social media account late Monday.
Confirmed in March 2025, Chavez-DeRemer was a rare Republican official with significant union backing, including an endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. However, her tenure was defined by a rapid and aggressive deregulatory agenda that often put her at odds with the very labor groups that supported her nomination.
Under her leadership, the Labor Department:
- Repealed or rewrote over 60 workplace regulations, including safety protocols for mining and construction.
- Eliminated minimum wage protections for home health care workers.
- Canceled millions in international grants dedicated to combating global child labor.
The Secretary’s exit highlights ongoing volatility within the administration’s top ranks. While Chavez-DeRemer framed her departure as a successful completion of her mission to “bridge the gap between business and labor,” the manner of her exit—announced by a press aide rather than the President—suggests a fractured relationship with the Oval Office.
Congressional reaction was swift. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) noted that the Secretary “demonstrated wisdom in resigning” as the Inspector General’s findings began to circulate on Capitol Hill.
The White House has not yet signaled a permanent replacement for the post.
