BREAKING: Labor Sec Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid investigation into affair, family scandals

Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer became the latest Trump administration official to leave their post on Monday, announcing that she is leaving for the private sector. This comes after reports that Chavez-DeRemer was under investigation for complaints that she was "abusing her position" to pursue an "inappropriate" relationship with a subordinate, and reports that her husband had been banned from the Department of Labor’s headquarters over allegations of sexual assault against female staffers. 

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this historic Administration and work for the greatest President of my lifetime," Chavez-DeRemer wrote on Monday evening. "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 and labor and always put the American worker first. We created new pathways to mortgage-paying jobs, prepared workers to excel in the age of AI, took steps to lower prescription drug costs, promoted retirement security, and so much more.

"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 and throughout my time in public service. We live in the best country in the world, and I am incredibly grateful that I had this opportunity to meet workers across the nation, listen to their stories, and deliver wins for them and their families.

"Thank you, President Trump. While my time serving in the Administration comes to a conclusion, it doesn’t mean I will stop fighting for American workers. I am looking forward to what the future has in store as I depart for the private sector."

Amid a sprawling investigation from the Office of the Inspector General, Chavez-DeRemer follows four other resignations from staffers who were investigated as part of the probe. Chief of staff Jihun Han and deputy Rebecca Wright resigned on March 3, while a security guard, Brian Sloan, resigned on March 19. Aide Melissa Robey resigned on March 25. 

In January, the New York Post revealed a whistleblower complaint against Chavez-DeRemer alleging that she drank during work hours, created a hostile work environment, and was pursuing an extramarital affair with a security guard. The complaint claimed that she had committed "travel fraud" by having Han and Wright "make up" official trips so that she could visit with friends and family with taxpayer funds."

Chavez-DeRemer’s personal attorney, Nick Oberheiden, said, "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." He added, "She is grateful for the opportunity to serve and remains committed to supporting the President’s agenda moving forward." 

Following the January report, the Inspector General’s office interviewed dozens of staff members and reportedly gathered evidence of an alcohol stash in her office and that she took subordinates to a strip club in Oregon.