Lori Chavez-DeRemer will take a role in the private sector, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung wrote in a social media post. Tom Brenner/Getty Images
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to step down amid misconduct allegations
The Labor Department’s inspector general is investigating claims involving inappropriate messages to staff and misuse of funds, as the White House names Keith Sonderling acting secretary.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will step down from her post, the Trump administration announced Monday, following multiple reports alleging work misconduct, including misuse of funds and more.
Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican from Oregon who lost her U.S. House reelection bid in 2024, will take a role in the private sector, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung wrote in a social media post.
"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," Cheung said.
Keith Sonderling will lead the agency as acting secretary of Labor, he added. Sonderling also worked at the Department of Labor during the first Trump administration, in the Wage and Hour Division.
Chavez-DeRemer is the most recent member of the Donald Trump Cabinet to be ousted, following former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Department of Labor's independent watchdog started an investigation into Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides over allegations of sending inappropriate messages to young staffers at the department, according to The New York Times.
The department’s inspector general was also investigating reports of misuse of department funds for personal travel and allegations Chavez-DeRemer had an extramarital affair with a member of her security detail.
Separately, her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, was barred from entering the Department of Labor after female staffers said he touched them inappropriately, according to the Times.