Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct probe

Source: washingtonpost.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon congresswoman, is resigning from her post in President Donald Trump's administration amid an internal Labor Department investigation into allegations of misconduct, including an alleged affair with a subordinate and drinking on the job. White House communications director Steven Cheung announced the departure, stating she is moving to a private sector position, with Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling taking over as acting secretary. The news broke on April 20, 2026, as the third such Cabinet exit in recent weeks—all involving women—and follows months of reported scrutiny over her leadership.[[1]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/04/20/chavez-deremer-leaves-cabinet/)[[3]](https://apnews.com/article/lori-chavez-deremer-resigns-trump-cabinet-926a5d655890fe5ec348cbf959233481)[[7]](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250311)

Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025 after a bipartisan 67-32 vote.[[7]](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250311)

Key points

Details and context

The White House framed the resignation positively, with Steven Cheung posting on X: “Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector. 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.”[[14]](https://x.com/StevenCheung47/status/2046336343387558053)[[12]](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/20/labor-secretary-chavez-deremer-resign-00737749) Deputy Sonderling, a holdover from Trump's first term, thanked her leadership in a post and pledged continuity.[[15]](https://x.com/Sonderling47/status/2046350475914564012)

Chavez-DeRemer has denied the allegations through representatives, and the department called some claims baseless; the inspector general's office has not commented publicly.[[16]](https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/labor-chief-chavez-deremer-leaving-213605337.html)[[17]](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/20/labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-leaving) Her tenure drew bipartisan Senate support initially, reflecting her background as a former mayor, small business owner, and one-term House member focused on worker training and apprenticeships.[[7]](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250311)

This wave of exits contrasts with the relative stability of Trump's second-term Cabinet until early 2026, when controversies over Noem's deportation handling and Bondi's Justice Department performance prompted firings.[[18]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/03/politics/trump-cabinet-fire-bondi-next)

Key quotes

“Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector. 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.” — White House communications director Steven Cheung, in a statement on X.[[14]](https://x.com/StevenCheung47/status/2046336343387558053)

Why it matters

Trump's Cabinet has seen unusual turnover in its second year, with three high-profile women exiting amid scandals, raising questions about leadership stability and vetting as midterms approach. For federal workers, businesses, and labor groups, it means uncertainty at the Department of Labor, which oversees wages, safety, and training programs during ongoing economic shifts. Watch for a permanent replacement nomination and the inspector general's report, though its findings and timing remain unclear.

What changed

Trump's Labor Department had Chavez-DeRemer as confirmed secretary since March 2025; now Deputy Keith Sonderling serves as acting secretary after her resignation on April 20, 2026.

FAQ

Q: What specific misconduct allegations led to the investigation of Chavez-DeRemer?

A: Reports detail claims of an affair with a security subordinate, drinking alcohol like champagne and bourbon during work hours in her office, and directing staff to create fake official trips for personal visits to family or friends at taxpayer expense. The Labor inspector general probe began in January 2026 after a whistleblower complaint; she and the department denied wrongdoing.[[9]](https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-under-investigation-for-inappropriate-relationship-with-employee)[[10]](https://www.npr.org/2026/04/20/nx-s1-5739251/labor-secretary-trump-chavez-deremer)

Q: Who replaces Chavez-DeRemer at Labor?

A: Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling, from Trump's first term, becomes acting Labor secretary immediately. He posted thanks for her leadership and commitment to Trump's worker-focused agenda.[[5]](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-exits-trump-admin-keith-sonderling-named-acting-head)[[6]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/20/labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-resignation-keith-sonderling.html)

Q: Why is this the third Cabinet departure recently?

A: All three women—Homeland Security's Kristi Noem (fired March 2026 over deportation issues), Attorney General Pam Bondi (ousted early April 2026), and now Chavez-DeRemer—left amid controversies, marking a shakeup after initial stability.[[4]](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/lori-chavez-deremer-is-out-as-labor-secretary-white-house-says)[[19]](https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/politics/lori-chavez-deremer-labor-secretary-out-trump)

Q: When was Chavez-DeRemer confirmed as Labor secretary?

A: The Senate confirmed her 67-32 on March 10, 2025, after a February hearing; she was sworn in March 11 as the 30th secretary.[[7]](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250311)