US Labor Secretary resigns, 3rd Trump Cabinet member exit

U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from her post, becoming the third Cabinet member under U.S. President Donald Trump's second term to leave their roles.

Earlier, Trump fired Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem allegedly after a S$280 million ad controversy, as well as Attorney-General and longtime ally Pam Bondi over her handling of the Epstein files.

"Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector," A Trump spokesperson said on X.

"She has done a phenomenal job in her role by protecting American workers, enacting fair labor practices, and helping Americans gain additional skills to improve their lives," he added.

Chavez-DeRemer also commented on her departure on X, calling her former role "an honour and a privilege to serve in this historic Administration and work for the greatest President of my lifetime".

She was appointed to the role in March 2025 and was backed by labour organisations like the American ​Federation of Labor and ​Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), who praised her "history of supporting the freedom of workers to organise, join unions and other fundamental values ​of the labor movement," according to Reuters.

Controversies

Her exit comes on the tails of a string of controversy, including allegations she had an affair with a subordinate and that she was drinking on the job.

According to the New York Times, her term in office was characterised as a "crisis at the Department of Labor".

Witnesses claimed Chavez-DeRemer was largely absent, used department resources for personal trips and tried to steer grants to favoured political operatives.

Her aides were also described as contributing to a toxic workplace with their hostility, while her husband was barred from the department's headquarters after being accused of making unwanted sexual advances towards female staff.

Chavez-DeRemer herself reportedly told potential deputies and department officials that her goal was to be a figurehead, just weeks after her appointment into the role, according to the New York Times.

Her tenure saw millions of dollars in international grants combatting global child and slave labour being cancelled.

It also moved to repeal more than 60 workplace regulations, including minimum wage for home care workers and people with disabilities.

Top images via Lori Chavez-DeRemer/X