Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation

Key Points:

• Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, is resigning amid multiple misconduct allegations including an affair with a subordinate, drinking on the job, and misuse of government resources, according to the administration’s announcement.
• Chavez-DeRemer and her aides are under investigation by the Department of Labor’s inspector general for professional misconduct, including inappropriate communications with young staff and attempts to direct grants to politically connected individuals.
• Additional controversies involve allegations against Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Shawn DeRemer, who was accused by female staff members of sexual assault at the department’s headquarters, though no criminal charges were filed.
• Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure saw significant policy changes, including the cancellation of international grants combating child labor and the rollback of over 60 workplace safety and wage regulations, actions that drew criticism from unions and safety experts.
• Keith Sonderling will serve as acting labor secretary following Chavez-DeRemer’s departure; she is the third female cabinet member to leave during Trump’s second term.