Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from the Trump administration, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung announced on Monday. Chavez-DeRemer will take a position in the private sector, according to Cheung, who praised her work in protecting American workers and enacting fair labor practices. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary following her departure.
Chavez-DeRemer's resignation comes amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct, including an extramarital affair with a member of her security team, inappropriate behavior such as drinking on the job, and misuse of taxpayer funds. Multiple staffers have resigned amid the probe, and her husband was barred from agency offices after allegations of sexual harassment. The Labor Department's inspector general is reportedly examining text messages sent by Chavez-DeRemer, her aides, and family members to young staffers.
Chavez-DeRemer is the third Cabinet member to leave the Trump administration in recent weeks, following the departures of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The resignations come ahead of the 2026 elections, where Trump could face challenges in confirming new Cabinet members if he loses control of Washington.
Chavez-DeRemer previously served as a Republican congresswoman from Oregon and was praised by the AFL-CIO for her record on labor protections. She launched an 'America at Work' listening tour during her tenure, visiting all 50 states.