Trump Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Steps Down Amid Investigation and Internal Dispute Claims
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who served as the U.S. Labor Secretary under President Donald Trump, has officially stepped down from her position, marking another notable change within the administration. Her departure was confirmed through a statement from the White House communications office, which announced that her deputy, Keith Sonderling, will take over as acting secretary.
According to White House communications director Steven Cheung, Chavez-DeRemer will now be moving into the private sector after serving in the Cabinet. In his statement shared on social media platform X, he praised her work, saying she played a role in protecting American workers, supporting fair labor practices, and helping citizens build better job skills.
Her resignation was first reported by media outlet NOTUS, and it comes shortly after other high-profile exits within the administration, including former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, both of whom were removed from their positions in recent weeks.
Following her departure, Chavez-DeRemer issued her first public response, where she expressed support for President Trump and his broader agenda focused on American workers. However, she also pointed to what she described as the real reason behind her exit. She claimed that false allegations against her, her family, and her staff were being spread by what she referred to as coordinated “deep state” actors in collaboration with parts of the media, which she said were aimed at undermining the administration’s mission.
Her resignation also comes at a time when an internal investigation within the Labor Department is reportedly in its final stages. The inquiry, which was initially reported by The New York Post, was triggered by a whistleblower complaint filed earlier this year. The allegations include claims of workplace misconduct, a hostile work environment, misuse of office resources for unofficial travel, and inappropriate behavior involving staff.
Additional reports from major news outlets also indicated that communications involving Chavez-DeRemer and her aides were being reviewed as part of the investigation. Some reports further mentioned concerns raised by employees regarding messages involving close family members.
Separate reporting also claimed that her husband had been restricted from entering the Labor Department building after allegations were raised by staff members. Chavez-DeRemer has denied any wrongdoing, while several staff members connected to her office, including senior aides and security personnel, have reportedly left their positions during the ongoing situation.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, was nominated to lead the Labor Department in late 2024. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 67–32 vote and officially assumed office in March of last year.
Her departure adds to a period of turnover within key federal departments, drawing attention to ongoing internal tensions and investigations inside the administration.
Sources:
White House Communications Office Statement
NOTUS News Report
The New York Post (Investigative Report)
The New York Times (Reporting on internal review)
U.S. Senate Confirmation Records
