Lori Chavez-DeRemer is the third Cabinet member Trump has lost in a month, and her exit story is the ugliest one yet

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is leaving the Donald Trump administration, making her the third Cabinet-level departure in just over a month. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed the news, saying that Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling will take over as acting Secretary of Labor.

Chavez-DeRemer follows the departures of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi. According to reports, she was called to the White House shortly before the news came out, where she was given a choice to either resign or be fired. She chose to resign.

The circumstances around her exit are particularly messy. She has been under investigation by the Labor Department’s own inspector general over allegations of misconduct, including claims that she misused official government travel and took staff members to a strip club. According to ABC News, there are also allegations that she had an affair with a member of her security detail, who has since been placed on administrative leave.

The scandals surrounding Chavez-DeRemer go beyond her own conduct

Her husband, Shawn DeRemer, has also faced serious accusations. He was reportedly banned from the Labor Department headquarters earlier this year after two women accused him of sexual assault. 

One of these incidents was allegedly captured on a security camera late last year. Police are investigating a complaint of sexual contact against her will filed in connection with an incident on December 18, though no criminal charges have been filed against him. He has denied that the incident occurred.

Chavez-DeRemer has strongly denied any wrongdoing. On Monday, she posted on social media, claiming the allegations were “peddled by high-ranked deep state actors” trying to “undermine” the president’s agenda. 

She wrote, “The allegations against me, my family, and my team have been peddled by high-ranked deep state actors who have been coordinating with the one-sided news media and continue to undermine President Trump’s mission.” 

Her attorney, Nick Oberheiden, also stated that she “did not resign due to findings that she violated the law,” and called her departure a personal decision. The White House tried to present her exit in more routine terms. 

Steven Cheung wrote on social media, “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.” 

Chavez-DeRemer also posted on X, saying, “I am looking forward to what the future has in store as I depart for the private sector.” Despite the official messaging, the timing is hard to overlook. Her resignation came just days before she was scheduled to sit for an interview with the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General. 

The broader political environment is also difficult for the administration right now, with President Trump dealing with an approval rating in the mid-to-high 30s and widespread disapproval over his handling of inflation. Tucker Carlson is among those who have expressed regret over helping Trump get re-elected, adding to the growing list of concerns within Trump’s own circle. 

Gas prices are currently averaging more than $4 a gallon, and the ongoing war in Iran has not produced the results the administration had hoped for. MS NOW points out that each of the three recently departed officials had specific issues that made them a liability. 

Kristi Noem faced criticism over her leadership during an immigration crackdown and a controversy involving a $220 million advertising campaign. Pam Bondi was reportedly pushed out due to the president’s frustration over her handling of the Epstein files and her performance in prosecuting perceived political enemies. 

Reports have also raised questions about Trump’s fitness for key military decisions, painting a broader picture of an administration under serious strain. For Chavez-DeRemer, the combination of the inspector general investigation, the allegations against her husband, and the controversy surrounding her personal conduct proved to be too much.