Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has issued a statement following the White House’s confirmation of her departure from the Cabinet amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct.
In her X post on Monday, April 20, Chavez-DeRemer praised the Trump administration while highlighting her key achievements at the Department of Labor.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this historic Administration and work for the greatest President of my lifetime,” she wrote.
She listed priorities like developing pathways to mortgage-paying jobs, preparing workers for AI-driven roles, lowering prescription drug costs, and boosting retirement security.
Chavez-DeRemer also reflected on her roots, mentioning her first job packing peaches in rural California.
According to her, that experience from her first job instilled a work ethic she carried into public service.
Chavez-DeRemer promises to keep on fighting for American workers
She thanked Trump and pledged to keep supporting American workers in the private sector.
“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 holds as I depart for the private sector,” the statement read.
The White House announcement came from communications director Steven Cheung, who said that Chavez-DeRemer was leaving “to take a position in the private sector.”
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Cheung called her work “phenomenal,” crediting her with protecting workers, enforcing equal labor practices, and building skills to help workers build better lives.
Her exit follows months of scrutiny. In January 2026, the DOL Inspector General, Anthony D’Esposito, launched a probe into claims that Chavez-DeRemer had an extramarital affair with a security detail member, drank on the job, and allowed top aides to arrange official events for her personal travel.
Politico reports that the White House defended her early on after the allegations emerged. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said January 15 that Trump viewed Chavez-DeRemer as doing a “tremendous job.”
Other White House officials dismissed the allegations as false and noted she considered suing the complainant.
Pressure mounted as four staffers exited, including Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright, both from her days in the House. The duo quit under pressure from the White House.
Chavez-DeRemer’s advance team head, Melissa Robey, was fired after her interview with the investigators.
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Moreover, security staffer Brian Sloan resigned in March, even though Americans expected him to cooperate with investigators who were looking into the matter.
Chavez-DeRemer joined Trump’s Cabinet after losing her 2024 reelection bid.
Then, sources said she was recruited for her moderate stance on labor issues, which bridges business and union interests.
During her tenure, DOL rolled out AI training grants for 500,000 workers and negotiated drug price caps, saving Medicare $2 billion annually, per department data. This remains one of her greatest achievements in the department.
Until publishing this, President Trump had not commented on the matter.
