Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stepped down from her position as federal investigators examined allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct, marking the third cabinet departure in President Trump’s second term.

Investigation Triggers Departure

White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung announced Chavez-DeRemer’s exit on social media, stating she would transition to a private sector role. The Labor Department’s inspector general launched an investigation following complaints about her conduct in office. According to reports first published by the New York Post in January, the probe examined allegations including an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, alcohol consumption during work hours, and misuse of taxpayer-funded travel for personal visits to friends and family members.

A senior Labor Department official confirmed the secretary had resigned, though Cheung’s statement praised her performance, crediting her with protecting American workers and enacting fair labor practices. The discrepancy between the official praise and the circumstances of her departure highlights the administration’s careful messaging around cabinet exits.

Third Cabinet Loss in Four Months

Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation follows a pattern of high-profile departures from Trump’s second-term cabinet. In early March, the president fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after lawmakers criticized her agency’s immigration enforcement record and a controversial $220 million advertising campaign featuring Noem on horseback. Attorney General Pam Bondi departed in April amid concerns about her Justice Department leadership and handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Frequent Absences Marked Tenure

Unlike Noem and Bondi, who maintained highly visible roles in the administration, Chavez-DeRemer spent considerable time away from Washington during her tenure. She launched an initiative called the America at Work listening tour, which took her to all 50 states over the course of a year. The former Oregon congresswoman’s frequent travel became part of the investigation into whether official resources were used for personal purposes. The departure leaves the Labor Department without permanent leadership as the administration faces ongoing questions about cabinet stability and accountability.