Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Former Central Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet on Monday following investigations into alleged misconduct involving her and her husband.

Chavez-DeRemer served as U.S. secretary of labor for 14 months. She is the third Cabinet member to leave the administration in recent months, following the departures of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Allegations and response

Chavez-DeRemer’s husband had previously been banned from Labor Department offices in Washington, D.C.

In a statement posted to social media, Chavez-DeRemer thanked the president and addressed the allegations.

“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,” she wrote.

In a separate post, she pushed back on the accusations.

“The allegations against me, my family, and my team have been peddled by high-ranked deep state actors,” she said.

Reaction from Oregon leaders

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., criticized Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure in a statement to KTVZ.

“The only thing steady about this administration is its continued and blatant abuse of the law,” Wyden said.

“Chavez-DeRemer, whose term was plagued with widespread misconduct, was no exception. Oregonians deserve a labor secretary that cares more about protecting workers than executing Trump’s agenda and getting wine delivered to their hotel room.”

Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., declined to comment.

Portland policy controversy

During her time in the Cabinet, Chavez-DeRemer drew attention for comments supporting federal intervention in Portland.

“Thank you for what you were doing with your agents on ICE,” she said during a Cabinet meeting. “And thank you for the prosecution that I hope you will come to Portland, Oregon, and crack down.”

The remarks came amid protests in Portland related to federal immigration enforcement actions.

Political background and next steps

Before joining the Cabinet, Chavez-DeRemer lost her reelection bid to U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, who now represents Oregon’s 5th Congressional District.

Chavez-DeRemer has said she plans to pursue a role in the private sector following her resignation.