The White House announced that Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Labor, is preparing to resign to join the private sector after serving only a few months amid reports of an internal investigation into improper budget spending and a scandal involving her husband, who was banned from the department after female employees complained about inappropriate touching.
The White House stated that 58-year-old Lori Chavez-DeRemer, serving as Secretary of Labor under President Donald Trump, will resign to accept a new private sector position. The government has appointed Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling as acting secretary.
This resignation follows reports that she was under internal investigation by the Labor Department's inspector general over complaints of inappropriate workplace behavior. The major media outlet, the New York Post, reported she was accused of drinking alcohol during official hours and "travel fraud," arranging work trips to personal destinations. Chavez-DeRemer has denied all allegations.
Beyond personal issues, CBS News reported that her husband, Shawn DeRemer, an anesthesiologist and medical entrepreneur, was banned from the Labor Department headquarters after two female employees complained of inappropriate touching. Although prosecutors decided not to press charges due to insufficient evidence, this matter has created significant pressure on her position.
In a post on platform X, Chavez-DeRemer did not address the scandal but expressed pride in advancing President Trump’s agenda, especially reducing the gap between business and labor and preparing the workforce for the AI era. She concluded, "Although my government service ends, that does not mean I will stop fighting for American workers."
Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation marks the latest cabinet departure following former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who left in April and March respectively, reflecting ongoing instability within the current administration.
Regarding her background, Lori Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the Oregon State House of Representatives and was mayor of Happy Valley for eight years before advancing to a cabinet-level position in the Trump administration.
. BBC