A New Civil Suit and Text Messages Could Signal the End for Dept. for Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer – RedState

On the heels of former Congressmen Eric Swalwell (CA-14) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) being forced to resign after sex scandals, a takedown of a different kind is underway at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). As the Office of Inspector General ends its investigation into Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer following allegations that she created a hostile work environment, had an inappropriate relationship with her bodyguard, drank on the job, and used department travel for her own purposes, three DOL staff members have chosen to file a civil rights lawsuit outside of this OIG investigation.

Three women have filed civil rights complaints against U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, according to reports.

The complaints allege that Chavez-DeRemer, a former congressman from Oregon’s 5th District, created a “hostile work environment” and attempted to retaliate against employees who cooperated with an investigation, including allegations of sexual harassment by Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, the New York Times and MS Now reported Thursday.

Two of the plaintiffs accused the secretary’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, of “unwanted sexual touching,” MS Now reported.

The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General is reportedly completing an investigation into Chavez-DeRemer’s short tenure as labor secretary and has interviewed all three women.

The complaints allege that Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides threatened staff and forced them to run personal errands and perform personal tasks for the Labor secretary, including cleaning out the closets in her apartment.

There has been a constant drumbeat on these issues around the Secretary of Labor. As RedState reported in January, Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff, Jihun Han, and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, were placed on administrative leave for their potential involvement in helping Chavez-DeRemer facilitate these acts. In March, a third high-level aide, Advance Director Melissa Robey, was also placed on administrative leave. Han, Wright and Robey were subsequently fired and the security guard with whom Chavez-DeRemer had the alleged inappropriate relationship resigned.

Dive Deeper: Third aide to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer placed on administrative leave as OIG investigation deepens

DC Police Sweep Labor Secretary’s Office Over Allegations Against Husband

RedState also reported that Chavez-DeRemer’s DOL offices were raided by the DC Metropolitan Police Department in connection with sexual harassment allegations against Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer. DC Metro has closed the investigation and no charges have been filed. However, DeRemer was barred from entering the Frances Perkins Building, where the Department of Labor is located.

SCOOP: At least 3 people have filed EEO complaints against Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, alleging a toxic workplace and attempts to retaliate against women who reported her husband for sexual misconduct in his office and in his personal work.

with @CarolLeonnig @MSNOWNewshttps://t.co/6bXcKeEiuG

– Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) April 9, 2026

As the OIG investigation nears its conclusion, The New York Times obtained text messages showing that Chavez-DeRemer and his now-fired aides used young employees for personal errands and to keep tabs on Chavez-DeRemer’s family.

What the hell?

The Labor Department’s inspector general is reviewing documents showing that Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides and family members regularly sent personal messages and requests to younger staffers.

In text messages reviewed by The New York Times, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer and her former deputy chief of staff asked employees to bring them wine while traveling for the department. Sometimes the requests came in the middle of the work day.

[…]

The investigation found deep frustration within the department with Ms. Chavez-DeRemer, who took office in March 2025. Staff from across the political spectrum described her as disconnected from the department’s work.

This assessment does not require rocket science. There is a lot of work Chavez-DeRemer could have done in Washington. Instead, she chose to focus on being outside of it. According to his team’s allegations, Chavez-DeRemer used this 50-state America At Work listening tour as a free vacation.

In addition to personal errands that kept DOL staffers away, these lower-level employees were responsible for tracking Chavez-DeRemer’s father.

Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s husband exchanged text messages with young female employees, as did her father. Some of the young women were instructed by Ms. Chavez-DeRemer and the former deputy chief of staff to “watch out” for men, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

[…]

In an April 2025 exchange provided to investigators, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s father, Richard Chavez, wrote to a young female staffer: “I hear you around town. I wish you would have let me know. I could have made excuses to come out and show you around. Please keep this private.”

The staff member replied, “That will do the trick, don’t worry!” » She apologized for not reaching out and said she would be back in Oregon soon. Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s family is based in Oregon, and she served one term in the House for the state’s Fifth Congressional District.

“When are you leaving and where are you staying,” he replied.

And for reasons unknown at this point, Dr. Shawn DeRemer also required text interaction.

A few weeks later, the same staffer messaged Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, and apologized for not having been in contact. “I had so much fun traveling with an LCD and being in the moment for everything!! I promise from now on I will record myself.”

He replied, “You better. I felt forgotten. I thought you were still in church repenting after being exposed to the demon state of Oregon.”

This is more of a soap opera than a scandal, but it nevertheless demonstrates a lack of professionalism and blatant malfeasance on the part of another government official charged with the public trust.

Editor’s note: Democrats are doing everything in their power to undermine the integrity of our elections.

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