De-escalation: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer Resigns

Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as labor secretary effective immediately. The White House said she is leaving for a private‑sector job, and Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling is now acting secretary.

Her exit came as the department’s inspector general neared the end of a months‑long probe into allegations that she had an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail and used department resources for personal travel. Investigators reviewed internal texts and other records, including messages that showed requests to bring her wine on trips and suggested daytime drinking, and interviewed dozens of witnesses. Her husband was barred from department headquarters after women accused him of unwanted advances, and three hostile‑workplace complaints against her were filed in recent weeks.

She was expected to be interviewed by investigators within days but left office without sitting for that interview, and she resigned before a planned appearance before the House Appropriations Committee. Investigators also examined spending on personal trips, including hotels, SUV rentals and meals, and at least four people had already left their jobs in connection with the probe. Chavez-DeRemer denied wrongdoing and said she would move to the private sector.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources