Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Leaves Trump Cabinet Following Allegations of Abuse of Power
The US labor secretary resigns following allegations of misconduct, including abuse of power, marking the third Cabinet departure under the Trump administration.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer has left the Cabinet of Donald Trump amid a series of allegations concerning abuse of office, which include claims of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate and misconduct in her official responsibilities.
The White House announced her departure on Monday, signifying the third Cabinet-level exit in recent weeks following the earlier departures of Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi.
Chavez-DeRemer, in a statement, defended her tenure, expressing pride in the significant progress made in advancing President Trump’s mission to bridge the gap between business and labor, always prioritizing the American worker.
In a departure from past practices, the announcement came from White House communications director Steven Cheung, who stated that Chavez-DeRemer would be leaving government to pursue a position in the private sector. He acknowledged her contributions to the advancement of labor policies and her support for workforce development.
Following her departure, Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling has been appointed as the acting head of the department.
Chavez-DeRemer’s exit came after several months of intense scrutiny, prompted by the initiation of multiple investigations into her behavior. Reports have indicated that the inspector general of the Labor Department is currently reviewing communications that involve the secretary, her aides, and family members, which includes messages sent to junior staff.
Media reports indicate that her husband and father engaged in interactions with young staff members, and it has been suggested that some employees were directed to pay attention to her family. The developments were integral to a wider investigation into her leadership style and behavior.
Previous allegations also encompassed assertions of a personal relationship with a subordinate, alongside accusations that she consumed alcohol while on duty and instructed aides to arrange official travel for predominantly personal reasons.
In a social media post, Chavez-DeRemer dismissed the allegations, asserting, “The claims against me, my family, and my team have been propagated by high-ranking deep state actors who are collaborating with biased news media and persist in undermining President Trump’s mission.”
The initial reactions from the White House and the Labor Department were dismissive of the allegations; however, their position became more accommodating as additional details surfaced and the investigation expanded.
Several high-ranking officials in the Labor Department were dismissed during the investigation, including her previous chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and a member of her security team who was associated with the purported relationship.
Republican Senator John Kennedy remarked that her resignation was fitting, emphasizing that stepping down reflected sound judgment in light of the controversy.
Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as labor secretary in March 2025 after a Senate vote of 67–32. A former Republican lawmaker from Oregon, she established a reputation as a pro-labor conservative and garnered support from unions like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Throughout her tenure in Congress, she championed legislation designed to facilitate unionization and safeguard Social Security benefits for public-sector employees, stances that distinguished her within her party.
During her time as Labor Secretary, she focused on promoting deregulation initiatives, leading the department to revise or eliminate numerous workplace regulations deemed outdated. The modifications impacted aspects like minimum wage protections, workplace safety standards, and labor conditions, eliciting criticism from union leaders and safety advocates.
The department has also ended several international programs designed to combat child labor and forced labor, bringing to a close initiatives that were recognized for their significant contributions to reducing global child labor over the past two decades.
Although she has left her position, Chavez-DeRemer expressed her commitment to continue advocating for American workers beyond the realm of government.
