Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as U.S. Labor Secretary amid an internal watchdog investigation into allegations that include an alleged romantic relationship with a security staffer, drinking on duty, and inappropriate messages involving family members and aides. Her husband was barred from Labor Department headquarters after accusations; he denies wrongdoing. Three staffers filed civil rights complaints alleging a toxic, retaliatory workplace, and several senior aides left amid the probe. Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting head while investigations continue.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns Amid Watchdog Probe Over Alleged Affair and Workplace Misconduct
Lori Chavez-DeRemer found herself repeatedly embroiled in scandal before her resignation on Monday. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on Monday amid an internal watchdog investigation into multiple allegations about her conduct while leading the Department of Labor. The move marks the third high-profile departure from President Trump’s Cabinet in recent weeks.
The probe has examined a range of complaints, including allegations that Chavez-DeRemer drank on the job in her Washington, D.C., office and engaged in a romantic relationship with a member of her security detail. Brian Sloan, who served on the secretary’s security team, was temporarily suspended during the inquiry and left his post in March.
The allegations of misconduct under Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure at the labor department are extensive and multifaceted. / Lori Chavez-DeRemer/X
Investigators also scrutinized messages and interactions involving Chavez-DeRemer’s close aides and family members. Reporting by The New York Times said the secretary’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, was barred from Labor Department headquarters in February after two employees accused him of inappropriate touching; he has denied the allegations. The report additionally described text messages from Chavez-DeRemer’s 81-year-old father, Richard Chavez, and others to young female staffers. Those men have not been charged with wrongdoing.
Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement that it had been "an honor and a privilege to serve" and expressed gratitude for working on behalf of American workers. On her personal X account she blamed "high-ranked deep state actors" and biased media for spreading the allegations.
Three current department staffers recently filed formal civil rights complaints alleging a toxic workplace culture and retaliation against employees who reported misconduct. The complainants accused Chavez-DeRemer of using departmental resources improperly and of retaliatory behavior; these claims are part of the ongoing oversight review.
Other allegations include claims that Chavez-DeRemer and aides consumed alcohol while on duty and stored liquor in the office. Reporters reviewed texts purportedly showing requests for alcohol to be delivered. Two senior aides — deputy chief of staff Rebecca Wright and former chief of staff Jihun Han — departed in March amid the investigation; the aides were accused in reporting of arranging phony official events to justify travel.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation and said she will move to a private-sector role. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling was named acting secretary and posted on X thanking the president and pledging to "put American workers first."
Lori Chavez-DeRemer poses with her husband, Shawn DeRemer, in front of the Capitol. The scandal-plagued couple have twin daughters together. / Lori Chavez-DeRemer/Instagram
The Department of Labor’s inspector general and other oversight bodies continue to review the allegations. Chavez-DeRemer has disputed parts of the reporting and characterized some claims as politically motivated; no criminal charges have been reported as of this writing.
Context: Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation follows other recent Cabinet shake-ups, including the removals of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this spring.
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