Lori Chavez-DeRemer out as US labour secretary

April 20, 2026

US Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from the Trump administration to pursue private sector opportunities amid mounting complaints and a reported internal investigation into alleged workplace misconduct. The investigation reportedly examined claims of drinking alcohol during work hours and misusing official travel, though she has denied any wrongdoing. Additionally, her husband was banned from the Labor Department headquarters after inappropriate touching allegations from two female employees, though prosecutors declined to press charges.

Who is affected

Lori Chavez-DeRemer (departing Labour Secretary)
American workers under the Department of Labor's jurisdiction
Keith Sonderling (Deputy Secretary assuming acting secretary role)
Two female Department of Labor employees who reported inappropriate touching
Shawn DeRemer (Chavez-DeRemer's husband)
Department of Labor staff
The Trump administration

What action is being taken

Keith Sonderling is taking on the role of acting Labour Secretary
The labour department's inspector general has reportedly been conducting an investigation into Chavez-DeRemer (though the office would not confirm this exists)
Shawn DeRemer has been banned from department headquarters

Why it matters

This departure represents another significant cabinet shakeup in the Trump administration and creates leadership instability at an agency responsible for overseeing critical work laws and unemployment benefits affecting millions of American workers. The circumstances surrounding the resignation—including allegations of workplace misconduct and the banning of the secretary's husband from department premises—raise concerns about workplace culture and accountability within the Labor Department. The departure also highlights potential conflicts between the administration's stated mission to prioritize American workers and internal management issues at the agency tasked with protecting them.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC