Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stepped down from her position on Monday, April 20, 2026, amid a series of misconduct allegations against her and her top staffers.
White House communications director Steven Cheung announced that Chavez-DeRemer is leaving “to take a position in the private sector.” Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting Labor Secretary.
The resignation makes her the third Cabinet member to depart during President Donald Trump’s second term. The previous two departures were Kristi Noem — Homeland Security Secretary, and Pam Bondi — Attorney General, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
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…
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 20, 2026
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon congresswoman, faced scrutiny over multiple allegations, including claims of mishandling department funds, inappropriate relationships with staff, and other misconduct, reported AP. Her personal attorney stated she decided to step down “in the best interest of the American people, to ensure the administration’s work continues without distraction, and to focus on her family in light of the strain caused by biased allegations,” per Politico.
Chavez-DeRemer has denied wrongdoing.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this historic Administration and work for the greatest President of my lifetime.
At the Department of Labor, I am proud that we made significant progress in advancing President Trump’s mission to bridge the gap between business…
— Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer (@SecretaryLCD) April 20, 2026
Background on Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Lori Michelle Chavez-DeRemer was born on April 7, 1968, in Santa Clara, California. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from California State University, Fresno in 1990 and became the first college graduate in her family. Before entering politics, she worked as a substitute teacher, sales representative, and small business owner. With her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, she co-founded an anesthesia management company and several mental health clinics in the Pacific Northwest.
Her public service began locally in Happy Valley, Oregon, where she served on the city council from 2005 to 2010 (including as council president) and as mayor from 2011 to 2019. Under her leadership, Happy Valley became one of Oregon’s fastest-growing communities. In 2022, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, becoming the first Republican woman and one of the first Latinas to represent Oregon in Congress. She served on the House committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Education and the Workforce before losing her reelection bid in 2024. President Donald Trump nominated her as Secretary of Labor, and she was confirmed in early 2025.
The Role of Labor Secretary
The U.S. Secretary of Labor heads the Department of Labor, a Cabinet-level agency established in 1913. The department’s mission is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
The secretary enforces more than 180 federal labor laws covering workplace safety, wage-and-hour standards (including the minimum wage and overtime), unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and union activities. The role also involves recommending labor legislation to Congress, advising the president on labor and workforce issues, and overseeing a budget of approximately $14 billion and roughly 16,000 employees.
President Donald Trump has not yet named a permanent replacement. The Department of Labor did not immediately release additional statements on the transition.
This development occurs alongside other major stories, including the Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to chair the Federal Reserve.
