Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned Monday from her post in the Trump administration, stepping down amid an ongoing internal investigation into alleged misconduct, according to White House officials.
The departure was confirmed by White House communications director Steven Cheung, who said Chavez-DeRemer would transition to a role in the private sector. Her exit marks another high-level shakeup within the administration as scrutiny over her leadership at the United States Department of Labor intensified in recent weeks.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former congresswoman from Oregon, had been under investigation by the department’s inspector general over allegations tied to her conduct in office. The probe reportedly examined claims of an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail, along with accusations of unprofessional behavior within the workplace. The controversy had already led to several senior staff departures from her office, further fueling concerns about instability within the department.
Her tenure as labor secretary had been marked by both policy initiatives and mounting controversy. While she was credited by administration allies with advancing workforce development efforts and labor policy reforms, reports of internal dysfunction and ethical concerns increasingly overshadowed those efforts. The investigation added to growing pressure from critics who questioned her ability to continue leading the agency effectively.
Following her resignation, Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will assume the role on an acting basis. Any permanent replacement nominated by President Trump will require confirmation by the Senate, setting the stage for what could become a contentious confirmation process depending on the nominee.
Chavez-DeRemer is the third Cabinet-level official to leave the administration this year, underscoring a period of notable turnover in top leadership positions. Earlier this year, Trump replaced Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and more recently dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The latest resignation adds to questions about stability within key federal agencies and the administration’s vetting of senior officials. With the Labor Department now under interim leadership, attention is expected to turn quickly toward identifying a nominee capable of navigating both policy priorities and heightened scrutiny from lawmakers.
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