Trump's Labor Secretary under investigation for 'inappropriate' liaisons with subordinate
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Donald Trump's Secretary of Labor, is under internal investigation over a complaint that she has carried on an "inappropriate" relationship with a subordinate, the New York Post reported on Friday evening.
"Chavez-DeRemer, 57, has welcomed her alleged paramour at least three times to her DC apartment and twice into her hotel room while traveling, alleges a complaint filed with the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Inspector General last week, which has since begun a probe," said the report. DeRemer "is also accused of drinking in her office during the workday and committing 'travel fraud' by having her chief of staff and deputy chief of staff 'make up' official trips to destinations where Chavez-DeRemer can spend time with family or friends on the taxpayers’ dime."
Additionally, the complaint alleged, Chavez-DeRemer has abused her authority to force department aides to run personal errands for her — an issue that has gotten a number of previous Trump administration officials, like former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, in trouble as well.
Taylor Rogers, a Labor Department communications official, categorically denied all allegations, saying, “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is an incredible asset to President Trump’s team and she will continue advancing the President’s America First agenda.”
Chavez-DeRemer, previously a one-term Republican congresswoman from Oregon, was a controversial pick among Trump allies to lead the Department of Labor because of her previous votes in favor of Democratic legislation expanding labor union rights.
It was speculated that Trump made the appointment at least partially to reward Teamsters union president Sean O'Brien for maintaining neutrality in the 2024 presidential election. The Teamsters hailed her confirmation as a victory for labor. However, since she took office, the Labor Department has proposed scaling back dozens of health and safety rules that protect workers.