Lori Chavez-DeRemer misconduct allegations and investigation

Reference TimelineLast updated MAY 25
SUMMARY

U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on April 20, 2026, following an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct, including an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, misuse of government resources, and workplace bullying. As of May 25, 2026, Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling has been appointed acting labor secretary. The probe also examined claims of alcohol in her office, sexual assault allegations against her husband, Shawn DeRemer, and improperly directed departmental grants, leading to the resignations of her Chief of Staff Jihun Han, Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright, and bodyguard Brian Sloan in March 2026. Melissa Robey, director of advance, was also placed on administrative leave on March 5, 2026, as part of the expanding investigation.

Timeline

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May 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as Secretary of Labor on May 20, 2026, following an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct.

    Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned as Secretary of Labor on May 20, 2026, following an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling has been appointed acting labor secretary.

April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on April 20, 2026, following an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct.

    US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on April 20, 2026, following an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. The probe examined claims of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, alcohol in her office, and misuse of government resources for personal travel, alongside allegations of workplace bullying and sexual assault claims against her husband.

  2. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the dismissal of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer due to ongoing allegations of misconduct.

    President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the dismissal of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer due to ongoing allegations of misconduct. The investigation includes claims of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, misuse of taxpayer funds, and taking staff to a strip club. Chavez-DeRemer's chief of staff and deputy chief of staff resigned in March 2026, and a security officer also reportedly quit amid an investigation into an alleged romantic relationship.

March 2026 — 4 developments

  1. The investigation into U.

    The investigation into U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has expanded to include allegations of improperly directed departmental grants. Additionally, her Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright were forced out and resigned in early March 2026 following a White House directive.

  2. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's bodyguard, Brian Sloan, has resigned following allegations of an affair with the secretary.

    Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's bodyguard, Brian Sloan, has resigned following allegations of an affair with the secretary. This development is part of an ongoing investigation into misconduct, which includes claims of travel fraud and other unprofessional conduct. Sloan had previously been placed on leave as the probe, initiated during her "America at Work" tour, expanded.

  3. Melissa Robey, director of advance at the Labor Department, was placed on administrative leave on Ma…

    Melissa Robey, director of advance at the Labor Department, was placed on administrative leave on March 5, 2026, as the inspector general investigates misconduct allegations against Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her staff. This marks the fourth person in Chavez-DeRemer's orbit to be placed on leave amid the growing investigation.

  4. Two senior aides to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright, have resigned after weeks on leave.

    Two senior aides to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Chief of Staff Jihun Han and Deputy Chief of Staff Rebecca Wright, have resigned after weeks on leave. They were placed on leave due to an ongoing investigation into claims that Chavez-DeRemer had an inappropriate relationship with a coworker and committed travel fraud. The complaint accused Han and Wright of fabricating work trips for Chavez-DeRemer to spend time with family and friends.

February 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is facing new allegations that she took staff to a strip club du…

    Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is facing new allegations that she took staff to a strip club during an official trip and that her husband has been barred from the Labor Department following sexual assault accusations from two female staff members. These developments add to existing claims of travel fraud, abuse of power, and an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.

  2. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's husband, Shawn DeRemer, has been barred from the Labor Departm…

    Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's husband, Shawn DeRemer, has been barred from the Labor Department headquarters after at least two female staff members accused him of sexual assault, with one incident reportedly captured on security cameras. While a local police investigation has closed due to insufficient evidence, DeRemer remains banned as the department's inspector general continues its inquiry into the allegations.

January 2026 — 10 developments

  3. At least a dozen government officials have reportedly been interviewed as part of the internal probe into Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's alleged misconduct.

    At least a dozen government officials have reportedly been interviewed as part of the internal probe into Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's alleged misconduct. This indicates a broader scope of investigation than previously detailed.

  4. A security officer assigned to protect Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was placed on administrat…

    A security officer assigned to protect Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was placed on administrative leave amid the ongoing probe into an alleged romantic relationship between them. The officer was placed on leave on January 16.

  6. Further reports indicated that the investigation had found evidence suggesting Chavez-DeRemer took staff to a strip club in Portland, Oregon, during an official work trip in April.

    Further reports indicated that the investigation had found evidence suggesting Chavez-DeRemer took staff to a strip club in Portland, Oregon, during an official work trip in April. Her attorney denied these allegations.

  7. Chavez-DeRemer's chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, were placed on administrative leave as part of the investigation.

    Chavez-DeRemer's chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, were placed on administrative leave as part of the investigation. The complaint alleged their involvement in facilitating the alleged misconduct, particularly regarding the 'travel fraud'.

  9. Reports emerged detailing the allegations, including claims that Chavez-DeRemer hosted her alleged paramour at her DC apartment and in hotel rooms during official travel.

    Reports emerged detailing the allegations, including claims that Chavez-DeRemer hosted her alleged paramour at her DC apartment and in hotel rooms during official travel. It was also reported that she allegedly traveled to Las Vegas during a government shutdown for a personal event, disguised as an official trip.

  10. The trial date for Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen, who is charged with vehicular homicide, has been postponed.

    The trial date for Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen, who is charged with vehicular homicide, has been postponed. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 11, 2026.