Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns from Trump Cabinet Amid Abuse of Power Allegations
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from the Trump administration, the White House confirmed on Monday, following allegations of abuse of power that had placed her tenure under intense scrutiny. Keith Sonderling, the department's deputy secretary, will assume the role of acting Labor Secretary while the administration searches for a permanent replacement.
Background
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, was confirmed as Labor Secretary earlier in 2025 and was seen as a relatively moderate voice within the Trump cabinet. She had been praised by some labor advocates for her willingness to engage with union leaders, a stance that set her apart from many of her colleagues in the administration.
Her tenure, however, became increasingly turbulent in recent weeks as reports emerged alleging misconduct and abuse of power within the Department of Labor. The allegations, which reportedly included claims of inappropriate conduct toward subordinates, prompted calls for her resignation from within the administration.
Key Developments
The White House confirmed Chavez-DeRemer's departure on April 20, 2026, stating that she had submitted her resignation and that the president had accepted it. No formal statement was issued by Chavez-DeRemer herself at the time of publication.
Keith Sonderling, who previously served as a commissioner on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before joining the Labor Department, will serve as acting secretary. Sonderling is considered a reliable administration loyalist and is expected to maintain continuity in the department's policy agenda.
The resignation comes at a sensitive time for the administration, which has been navigating a complex labor market and ongoing negotiations over workforce policy, including debates around gig worker classification and federal contractor rules.
Why It Matters
The departure of Chavez-DeRemer removes one of the few cabinet members who had cultivated a working relationship with organised labor. Her exit could signal a harder line from the Labor Department on union-related issues going forward, depending on who is ultimately nominated to fill the role permanently.
The resignation also adds to a pattern of high-profile departures from the Trump administration, raising questions about internal cohesion and the stability of key policy portfolios heading into the second half of the presidential term.
What's Next
The White House is expected to begin the process of identifying a permanent Labor Secretary nominee. Any nominee will require Senate confirmation, a process that could take several weeks or months. In the interim, Sonderling is expected to maintain existing departmental priorities while avoiding major new policy initiatives.
Sources: Rolling Stone; OPB; Fortune
