Watchdog report alleges misconduct by Trump’s former labour secretary

A federal watchdog in the United States has published a report detailing allegations of misconduct involving former US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer , who resigned in April.

On Thursday night, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General released 44 pages detailing incidents where Chavez-DeRemer reportedly blurred the line between her public office and personal life.

The report drew from 500 documents and interviews with 53 current and former Labor Department employees, as well as one employee from another federal agency.

It said 38 of the interviewees described the secretary’s office as a “toxic, intimidating and humiliating” workplace.

It also accuses Chavez-DeRemer of using government employees for private errands, drinking alcohol in her office during working hours and developing an “inappropriate relationship” with a member of her security detail.

The rumours of misconduct ultimately forced Chavez-DeRemer to leave her post on April 20.

She became the third cabinet secretary to leave the second administration of President Donald Trump, after the departures of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this year.

Chavez-DeRemer, a former Republican Congress member from Oregon, was sworn in on March 11, 2025. Her position lasted just over a year.