Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns: What to know

Trump nominates Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his nominee to lead the Labor Department. Chavez-DeRemer recently lost her re-election in a close race against Democrat Janelle Bynum in Oregon's fifth Congressional district.

WASHINGTON - Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is out of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, the administration announced Monday.

The news comes after a series of alleged abuses of her position’s power, including having an affair with a subordinate and drinking alcohol on the job.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer out as labor secretary

Big picture view:

Unlike other recent Cabinet departures, Chavez-DeRemer’s exit was announced by a White House aide, not by the president on his social media account.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer speaks during a news conference in the U.S. Capitol on the government shutdown on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. (Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector," White House spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. "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."

Lori Chavez-DeRamer issues statement on resignation

What they're saying:

On X, Chavez-DeRamer called it "an honor and a privilege" to serve in the administration and work for "the greatest President of my lifetime."

"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," she said in the statement. "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."

She added: "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."

Keith Sonderling to become acting labor secretary

Dig deeper:

The White House said Keith Sonderling, the current deputy labor secretary, would become acting labor secretary in her place.

Chavez-DeRamer’s departure follows reports that began surfacing in January that she was under a series of investigations. The news outlet NOTUS was the first to report her resignation Monday.

RELATED: Pam Bondi ousted as attorney general, Todd Blanche to become interim AG

Chavez-DeRemer is the third Trump Cabinet member to leave her post after Trump fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March and ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month.

Noem was moved to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere. 

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.