WASHINGTON – Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned Monday amid an internal misconduct investigation, making her the third Trump cabinet official to depart this year. The embattled secretary faced allegations of drinking in her office, creating a hostile work environment, carrying on an extramarital affair with her security guard, taking subordinates to an Oregon strip club, and using taxpayer money for personal travel – including a Las Vegas trip during a government shutdown.
Chavez-DeRemer, 58, submitted her resignation as the Office of Inspector General’s sprawling inquiry was nearing its conclusion, sources told The Post. She follows four other Department of Labor staffers who have already resigned or been pushed out amid the probe.
“While she continues to strongly dispute the allegations that have been raised, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer believes it is in the best interest of the country to allow the administration to remain fully focused on delivering results for the American people,” said her personal attorney Nick Oberheiden in a statement.
Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will replace her as acting secretary.
The Whistleblower Complaint: A ‘Boss From Hell’
The Post first exposed a whistleblower complaint filed against Chavez-DeRemer in January 2026. The complaint alleged that she:
- Drank alcohol in her office during work hours
- Created a hostile work environment for her top aides
- Pursued an extramarital affair with her security guard, Brian Sloan
- Committed “travel fraud” by having aides fabricate official trips to destinations where she could spend time with family or friends on the taxpayers’ dime
Over the next three months, the IG investigation broadened, involving dozens of staff interviews. Investigators gathered evidence of an alcohol “stash” in the secretary’s office and confirmed that she took subordinates to an Oregon strip club. Accusations of taxpayer-funded travel were corroborated, with staff allegedly instructed to conceal items on the secretary’s official schedule that ethics lawyers might not approve.
“She was a boss from hell,” one former aide told investigators, according to sources.
The Las Vegas Trip: Taxpayer-Funded Bachelorette Party During Shutdown
One of the most damaging allegations involved a personal trip Chavez-DeRemer took in October 2025 – during a federal government shutdown. She traveled to Las Vegas for her niece’s 40th birthday, staying at the Red Rocks Casino Resort and Spa. Photos obtained by The Post showed the labor secretary in a yellow bikini, accompanied by her security guard and alleged paramour, Brian Sloan.
According to the IG complaint, Chavez-DeRemer had her aides make up official travel justifications for the trip, billing taxpayers for flights and accommodations that were actually for personal purposes.
Sloan resigned on March 19, 2026, as the investigation closed in on him. He had reportedly been welcomed into Chavez-DeRemer’s DC apartment and accompanied her on multiple personal trips.
Aides Ousted, White House Attempted Damage Control
Four senior staffers resigned under pressure from the White House:
- Jihun Han, chief of staff, resigned March 3
- Rebecca Wright, deputy chief of staff, resigned March 3
- Brian Sloan, security guard, resigned March 19
- Melissa Robey, another aide, resigned March 25
Han and Wright were accused of exerting improper influence over junior staff, verbally abusing subordinates, and providing “cover” for the secretary’s alleged misconduct. Han allegedly leaned on staffers to shut down internal questions about Chavez-DeRemer’s rumored affair with her bodyguard, instructing them to “leave it alone.”
Wright infuriated the White House by disparaging President Trump in private, telling staff in a meeting last year: “We don’t care what the White House tells us to do. We only care that the secretary looks good.”
Despite the mounting evidence, Trump and the White House publicly stood by Chavez-DeRemer during the investigation, inviting her to events at the executive mansion and issuing statements of support. White House spokesman Steven Cheung said Monday that she “has done a phenomenal job in her role.”
Husband Accused of Sexual Assault at DOL Headquarters
Adding to the scandal, Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, was accused by a female staffer of sexual assault inside Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C. The DC Metropolitan Police Department report, filed in late January, cited “sexual contact against her will.”
Prosecutors declined to bring charges in late February, but the accuser later re-filed the complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, along with other allegations about the hostile work environment.
DeRemer’s attorney James Bell said his client “categorically, unequivocally, and emphatically denies each and every one of the allegations.” He was nonetheless barred from entering department headquarters at the time of his wife’s resignation.
Third Cabinet Departure in 2026
Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation makes her the third Trump cabinet official to leave this year:
- Kristi Noem (Homeland Security) – fired by Trump in March
- Pam Bondi (Attorney General) – fired in April
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Labor) – resigned amid probe in April
The turnover has raised questions about stability within the administration, though the White House has insisted that each departure was handled appropriately.
The IG Investigation: What Was Found?
Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito had been expected to conclude the investigation in the coming weeks. While the full report has not been released, sources familiar with the probe said investigators had gathered substantial evidence:
- Witnesses confirmed the existence of an alcohol stash in Chavez-DeRemer’s office.
- Text messages submitted to investigators showed Chavez-DeRemer and Wright bothering staffers into purchasing them bottles of wine during official visits.
- Other texts showed the secretary’s father, Richard Chavez, asking a young female staffer to keep a conversation “private” after saying he “could made some excuses to get out an show u around.”
- The trip to Las Vegas was documented with photos and travel records.
- Multiple staffers corroborated the hostile work environment claims.
The IG’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chavez-DeRemer’s Defense and Legacy
In her resignation statement, Chavez-DeRemer touted her accomplishments at the Department of Labor, including:
- Creating new pathways to mortgage-paying jobs
- Preparing workers to excel in the age of AI
- Taking steps to lower prescription drug costs
- Promoting retirement security
“Thinking back to my first job packing peaches in rural California, it taught me the value of hard work – a value that I have carried with me every single day in this job,” she said.
She also thanked President Trump, calling him “the greatest President of my lifetime.”
Her attorney emphasized that she “strongly disputes the allegations” and that she resigned “in the best interest of the country” to avoid distraction.
What Happens Next
- Acting Secretary: Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will lead the department on an interim basis.
- IG report: The Office of Inspector General may still release its findings, which could include recommendations for further action.
- Potential criminal referrals: If the IG finds evidence of fraud or other crimes, the case could be referred to the Department of Justice.
- EEOC complaints: The sexual assault allegations against Shawn DeRemer remain pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Political fallout: Democrats are likely to use the scandal to attack the Trump administration’s vetting and oversight.
FAQ: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resignation
Q: Why did Chavez-DeRemer resign?
A: She resigned amid a wide-ranging internal misconduct investigation that included allegations of drinking on the job, an affair with her security guard, travel fraud, and a hostile work environment.
Q: Was she fired?
A: No. She resigned voluntarily, though under pressure from the investigation.
Q: What happened to her aides?
A: Four senior staffers resigned or were pushed out, including her chief of staff, deputy chief, security guard, and another aide.
Q: What about her husband?
A: He was accused of sexual assault by a female staffer at DOL headquarters. Prosecutors declined to charge him, but the case is now before the EEOC.
Q: Is she the only cabinet member to leave?
A: No. Kristi Noem (DHS) and Pam Bondi (AG) were fired earlier this year.
Q: Where can I find the IG report?
A: It has not been released yet. It may become public in the coming weeks.
