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Lori Chavez-Deremer resigns as Labor Secretary amid department misconduct allegations
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer resigned amid misconduct allegations involving her and top aides. The White House announced the resignation on April 20, 2026, with Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling set to become acting secretary. The move follows reports of personal texts from her family to staffers and multiple departures within the Labor Department.
Why It Matters
The departure adds to scrutiny of the Trump-era cabinet and could impact leadership and morale at the Labor Department as it faces ongoing investigations.
Timeline
4 Events
Resignation announced; acting secretary named
April 20, 2026
Lori Chavez-Deremer resigns as U.S. Secretary of Labor; the White House announces the resignation. Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary. She becomes the third high-profile departure from President Donald Trump's cabinet after Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem.
Four Labor Department staffers leave amid investigation
April 2026
Brian Sloan, Melissa Robey, Jihun Han, and Rebecca Wright left the Labor Department amid the ongoing investigation.
Allegations and personal texts emerge
April 2025
Reports described by the article include Chavez-Deremer's father and husband sending personal texts to a young female staffer, and a New York Times report noting interactions involving her husband and father. The piece also references a Politico report about misconduct and notes that four workers had left the Labor Department since then.
Chavez-Deremer becomes Labor Secretary
March 2025
Lori Chavez-Deremer takes over as U.S. Secretary of Labor, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for two years.