Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns From Trump Cabinet Amid Abuse of Power Allegations

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from President Trump's Cabinet following mounting allegations of abuse of power, including accusations of having an affair with a subordinate and drinking alcohol on the job. The White House announced her departure on Monday, making her the third Cabinet member to leave the administration in recent months.

Third Cabinet Departure in Months

Chavez-DeRemer's exit follows the earlier dismissals of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March and Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month. Unlike previous departures, her resignation was announced by White House Communications Director Steven Cheung rather than by President Trump himself on social media.

"Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector," Cheung stated on X. "She has done a phenomenal job in her role by protecting American workers, enacting fair labor practices, and helping Americans gain additional skills to improve their lives."

Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting labor secretary following her departure.

Mounting Investigations and Allegations

The resignation comes after months of investigations by the Labor Department's inspector general. A New York Times report last week revealed that Chavez-DeRemer and her family members routinely sent personal messages and requests to young staff members, with some employees being instructed to "pay attention" to her family.

The investigation expanded beyond the initial complaint filed in January regarding her alleged relationship with a subordinate member of her security detail. Additional allegations emerged concerning:

• Drinking alcohol while on duty
• Using official resources for personal travel arrangements
• Inappropriate communications between her husband and father with young female staff members

At least four Labor Department officials have been forced from their positions as the investigation progressed, including her former chief of staff and deputy chief of staff.

Chavez-DeRemer Blames "Deep State"

In her defense, Chavez-DeRemer took to social media Monday evening, claiming the allegations were "peddled by high-ranked deep state actors who have been coordinating with the one-sided news media and continue to undermine President Trump's mission."

In her resignation statement, she praised Trump's agenda, writing: "I am proud that we made significant progress in advancing President Trump's mission to bridge the gap between business and labor and always put the American worker first."

Unusual Republican with Union Support

Chavez-DeRemer's appointment was notable for a Republican, as she enjoyed rare union support during her confirmation process. The former Oregon congresswoman, who lost reelection in November 2024, was confirmed to the Cabinet on a 67-32 vote in March 2025.

During her single term in Congress, she backed pro-union legislation, including measures to make federal unionization easier and protect Social Security benefits for public-sector employees. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, among other unions, supported her nomination—a testament to her family's labor roots as the daughter of a Teamster.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) commented on her departure, saying, "I think the secretary demonstrated a lot of wisdom in resigning."

Key Policy Achievements and Controversies

Despite being one of Trump's lower-profile Cabinet picks, Chavez-DeRemer played a significant role in advancing the administration's deregulatory agenda. Under her leadership, the Labor Department moved to rewrite or repeal more than 60 workplace regulations deemed obsolete.

These rollbacks included:

• Minimum wage requirements for home health care workers and people with disabilities
• Rules governing exposure to harmful substances in workplaces
• Safety procedures at mining operations
• Requirements for adequate lighting at construction sites
• Seat belt mandates for agricultural workers in employer transportation

The administration also canceled millions of dollars in international grants aimed at combating child and slave labor worldwide, ending programs that had helped reduce child laborers globally by 78 million over two decades.

Looking Forward

As the Trump administration faces another Cabinet shakeup, questions arise about stability within key departments. Chavez-DeRemer concluded her statement by saying, "While my time serving in the Administration comes to a conclusion, it doesn't mean I will stop fighting for American workers."

The Labor Department's broad mandate includes reporting unemployment rates, regulating workplace safety, investigating wage disputes, and overseeing union organizing laws—critical functions that will now fall to acting leadership during this transition period.