Lori Chavez-DeRemer, then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon, speaks to reporters on October 9, 2024. (Photo by Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
WASHINGTON — Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will resign from her position, the Trump administration announced Monday, following multiple reports of workplace misconduct, including misuse of funds and more.
Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican who lost her reelection bid to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024, will take on a role in the private sector, White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote in a social media post.
“She has done a phenomenal job in her role protecting American workers, enforcing fair labor practices and helping Americans gain additional skills to improve their lives,” Cheung said.
Keith Sonderling will lead the agency as acting labor secretary, he added. Sonderling also worked at the Department of Labor in the Wage and Hour Division during the first Trump administration.
Chavez-DeRemer is the latest member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet to be removed, following former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Labor Department’s independent watchdog opened an investigation into Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides over allegations of sending inappropriate messages to junior employees at the department. according to the New York Times.
The department’s inspector general also investigated reports of misuse of department funds for personal travel and allegations that Chavez-DeRemer had an extramarital affair with a member of her security detail.
In addition, her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, denied entry to the Department of Labor after female employees said he touched them inappropriately. according to the Times.
