Lori Chavez-Deremer was a former U.S. Representative from Oregon before her appointment as Trump’s Labor Secretary. After her first year in office, it was revealed the Inspector General was investigating her for abuse of power and pursuing a romantic relationship with a subordinate, a member of her security detail. In typical manner, he is the one placed on leave.
There are two additional ethics complaints that allege she had her aides direct department grants to further her political career or to make time for personal trips. Those aides were also put on leave.
- New York Times: Labor Secretary’s Security Guard Placed on Leave
- Independent: Trump’s labor secretary accused of taking staff to a strip club on official trip, report says
- Yahoo News: Married Trump Cabinet Member Accused of Sex With Bodyguard
- NBC News: Multiple Labor Department staffers are on leave amid internal probe into Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
January 28, 2026