The Labor Department's internal watchdog released a blistering report Thursday alleging that former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer presided over a "toxic, intimidating and humiliating" office culture, regularly consumed alcohol during the workday, and failed to properly disclose expensive gifts. The investigation also found she had an "inappropriately close and unprofessional relationship" with a member of her security detail.
The findings, which follow her resignation in April, paint a picture of a Cabinet official who abused her authority and created a climate of fear among senior staff. Investigators interviewed at least 38 witnesses who consistently described the secretary's office as toxic, according to the report. Senior officials allegedly berated employees in front of colleagues, engaged in inappropriate personal discussions, and threatened to terminate staffers without cause.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, left the Trump administration amid swirling allegations of misconduct and abuse of power. She was the third Cabinet member to step down during the president's term. The report notes she resigned just one day before investigators were scheduled to interview her. At the time, the White House praised her leadership and said she was departing for a private-sector role.
Personal errands and misuse of government resources
The inspector general's office detailed multiple instances where Chavez-DeRemer reportedly used government employees to handle personal matters. In one case, two employees said they drove a Labor Department vehicle to her home during work hours, where they hung her dry cleaning and organized her closet. Staffers also said they were tasked with retrieving her packages and making personal purchases on her behalf.
These allegations echo a February report from The New York Times, which revealed that the Labor Department had been investigating Chavez-DeRemer and some of her top aides for months before her departure. That probe reportedly overlapped with a criminal investigation into her husband, Shawn DeRemer, who was accused of sexual assault against two staffers at the agency's headquarters. Both Chavez-DeRemer and her husband have denied the accusations.
Pushback from the former secretary
Her attorney, Nick Oberheiden, pushed back on the watchdog's findings Friday, telling The Washington Post that the report "confirms that Secretary Chavez-DeRemer did not violate any laws." He did not address the detailed allegations of workplace misconduct or the misuse of government resources.
Chavez-DeRemer's deputy, Keith Sonderling, took over the department on an acting basis after her exit. President Trump nominated Sonderling to fill the post permanently in June, a move that has drawn scrutiny given the turmoil at the agency.
The report adds to a growing list of ethical and managerial controversies within the Trump administration, which has faced repeated questions about its handling of internal investigations and personnel matters. It also comes as the administration faces legal challenges over other policy moves, including tariff actions against Canada and new voting rules that have sparked fresh litigation.
For now, the Labor Department is left to navigate the fallout from the report, with Sonderling tasked to restore confidence in an agency that has been rocked by allegations of misconduct at the highest levels.
