Labor Secretary Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from the Trump administration, the White House announced Monday, in the wake of formal complaints alleging misconduct including abuse of her position, an extramarital affair with a subordinate, and drinking alcohol on the job. The 58-year-old former Oregon labor official will take a position in the private sector, according to White House Assistant Director of Communications Steven Cheung, who announced the departure on social media. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will assume the role in an acting capacity. The resignation follows a formal complaint filed with the Department of Labor's office of inspector general accusing Chavez-DeRemer of stashing alcohol in her office and engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Her Chief of Staff, Jihun Han, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Rebecca Wright, were placed on administrative leave in January and are alleged to have had knowledge of these issues and been tasked with inventing work trips that allowed the secretary to spend time with friends and family. The complaints also triggered civil rights allegations from staff members who reported a hostile work environment under her leadership. Chavez-DeRemer's departure marks the third high-profile resignation from the administration within recent weeks. Cheung praised the outgoing secretary in his announcement, stating she had done a "phenomenal job" protecting American workers, enacting fair labor practices, and helping Americans gain skills to improve their lives. The Department of Labor did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the resignation.