Oregon — Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the U.S. Secretary of Labor, is under investigation by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, according to multiple media reports.
The investigation, first reported by the New York Post, centers on claims that Chavez-DeRemer engaged in a personal relationship with an employee while serving as Labor Secretary, raising questions about potential ethics violations and workplace conduct (New York Post, Jan. 9, 2026).
As the probe widened, two of Chavez-DeRemer’s top aides were placed on administrative leave, a move that underscored the seriousness of the inquiry and signaled escalating internal disruption at the Department of Labor (New York Post, Jan. 12, 2026).
According to Politico, the sidelining of senior staff has effectively stalled portions of the department’s leadership operations while investigators review communications and personnel decisions connected to the alleged relationship (Politico, Jan. 12, 2026). Sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that the Inspector General is examining whether department policies or federal ethics rules were violated.
Neither the Department of Labor nor Chavez-DeRemer has publicly commented in detail on the allegations. The Inspector General’s office has also declined to discuss specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon congresswoman, was confirmed as Labor Secretary earlier this term. The investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of executive branch officials and follows a series of ethics-related probes across multiple federal agencies.
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