Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns Amid DOL Inspector General Misconduct Investigation

On April 20, 2026, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned amid an ongoing Department of Labor Office of Inspector General investigation into professional misconduct. She is the third Cabinet member to depart Donald Trump’s second-term Cabinet. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling assumed the role of acting secretary. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung announced the departure, stating Chavez-DeRemer was “leaving the administration to take a position in the private sector.” Chavez-DeRemer had been scheduled for an extended interview with the OIG in the days following her resignation; her departure cut the investigation short.

The Investigation

The DOL Inspector General, former Republican Representative Anthony D’Esposito, had opened the investigation earlier in 2026 after whistleblower complaints alleged:

• Relationship with a subordinate: Chavez-DeRemer was accused of pursuing a romantic relationship with a member of her security detail, including visits to her DC apartment and a Las Vegas hotel room in 2025 captured on security footage.
• Travel fraud: Whistleblowers alleged she directed chief of staff Jihun Han and deputy chief of staff Rebecca Wright to fabricate official justifications for taxpayer-funded travel that served personal purposes — visits to family and friends.
• Workplace misconduct: A “stash” of alcohol (champagne, bourbon, Kahlua) was alleged to be kept in her office, with allegations of drinking during work hours. She was reported to have taken subordinates to an Oregon strip club during official travel and to have treated staff as personal errand-runners.
• Sexual assault allegations involving her husband: In February 2026, at least two female Labor Department staffers accused Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Portland anesthesiologist Shawn DeRemer, of inappropriate touching at DOL headquarters on Constitution Avenue. At least one incident was captured on security camera. A Labor Department staffer filed a police report with the Washington Metropolitan Police Department. Shawn DeRemer was banned from entering DOL headquarters. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro declined to prosecute in February 2026 after reviewing the evidence. DeRemer’s attorney said he “categorically denies every allegation” in a March 12 statement.

At least four DOL personnel were forced out during the probe, including the deputy chief of staff and the security official at the center of the relationship allegation.

Chavez-DeRemer’s Response

Chavez-DeRemer attributed the allegations to a “deep state” conspiracy against her — a framing flagged by multiple outlets as unsupported by the public record. The investigation was led by a Trump-nominated Republican IG sworn in January 5, 2026.

Succession

Keith Sonderling, Deputy Labor Secretary and formerly an EEOC commissioner during Trump’s first term, became acting Secretary. No permanent nominee was announced at the time of resignation.

Significance

Chavez-DeRemer was one of three Republicans confirmed with labor-Democratic backing (she received Teamsters president Sean O’Brien’s endorsement at the 2024 RNC and was seen as the administration’s gesture toward organized labor). Her resignation removes the most union-friendly voice from the Cabinet at the same moment the administration is pursuing aggressive workforce deregulation and federal-workforce reductions. Three Republican senators had voted against her confirmation. Her exit is the third Cabinet-level departure of the second Trump term, following Pam Bondi (fired April 2, 2026) and one prior.