Labor secretary resigns amid department IG's misconduct investigation

April 20 (UPI) -- Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from her job in the Trump administration Monday amid allegations of professional misconduct.

Keith Sonderling will become the acting Secretary of Labor with her resignation, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung said in a post on X.

Chavez-DeRemer decided to resign amid the Labor Department inspector general's investigation into a series of allegations that includes a stash of alcohol in her office, a relationship with one of the members of her security team and her use of agency resources for a variety of personal activities, CNBC and The Guardian reported.

Chavez-DeRemer's lawyer told MSNOW that she did not resign due to findings that she violated the law or in connection with the IG's investigation, but that she has decided to accept a private sector job.

"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," Cheung said in the post.

In Chavez-DeRemer's time as labor secretary, she is alleged to have created a toxic workplace, alongside the allegations of using department resources for personal trips and her aides attempts to steer grants based on politics, The New York Times reported.

Her husband also was barred from the Department of Labor's headquarters because of accusations of unwanted sexual advances from women there.

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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 6:29 PM.