Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer leaving Trump administration, White House says

The former labor secretary was under investigation for alleged misconduct.

ByEmily ChangABCNews logo
Monday, April 20, 2026 9:45PM
ABC News Live

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is exiting the Trump administration, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung announced.

"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," Cheung wrote on X.

Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling will presume the role of Acting Secretary of Labor, Cheung added.

FILE - Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, April 23, 2025, in Washington.
FILE - Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, April 23, 2025, in Washington.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

Chavez-Deremer's exit from the Department of Labor comes as the inspector general's report investigating her was poised to drop any day.

The former labor secretary was under investigation for alleged misconduct, including an affair with a member of security detail, as well as a department internal watchdog investigation for allegedly abusing her office.

This followed more alleged scandals involving the former secretary's husband.

Chavez-Deremer served as Labor Secretary for over a year and was confirmed on March 10, 2025.

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