IG Report: Ex-Labor Secretary Created Hostile Workplace, Misused Funds
The Labor Department's Office of Inspector General released a 44-page report Thursday finding former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer violated department policy on multiple fronts during her March 2025 to April 2026 tenure.
- 38 witnesses described the department under Chavez-DeRemer as 'toxic, intimidating and humiliating.'
- 53 current and former staffers were interviewed; investigators reviewed 500-plus documents, images and videos.
- Travel vouchers show taxpayers paid $1,324.21 in transportation costs for the Oregon trip that included a strip club stop.
- Unreported gifts included an alligator-hide wallet, work boots, cowboy hats and baby gifts.
Why it matters: The report documents policy violations spanning personnel, ethics, security, and financial conduct at a Cabinet-level agency.
- The bodyguard's focus on Chavez-DeRemer 'reduced protective coverage for the Secretary,' the report found.
- Staff were directed to perform personal tasks on official time, including organizing her bedroom closet and buying Christmas ornaments and wine.
How 36 sources split on this story
Where they split: Whether the relationship with the bodyguard was romantic or sexual is disputed: the IG found the relationship 'inappropriately close' but said it lacked 'sufficient direct evidence' to establish it was romantic or sexual.
Center coverage, 12 sources: The center presents the IG findings as a straightforward policy-violation story, leading with the hostile workplace finding and listing the specific misconduct without broader political framing.
Associated Press20hWatchdog report: Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer oversaw hostile work environment, misused fundsIBTIBTimes17hFormer Labor Secretary Misused Government Resources and Drank at Work. Employees Describe 'Toxic' Atmosphere In Report.KSAKSAT 12 San Antonio20hWatchdog report: Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer oversaw hostile work environment, misused fundsNewNews4Jax20hWatchdog report: Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer oversaw hostile work environment, misused funds
NPR13h4 things investigators learned about the dysfunction at Trump's Labor Department
PBS NewsHour18h'Toxic, intimidating and humiliating': Ex-labor secretary oversaw hostile work environment, watchdog findsSNScripps News17hWatchdog report: Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer oversaw hostile work environment, misused funds
TMZ18hTrump's Ex-Labor Secretary Allegedly Made Security Guard Throw Money on Stripper
USA Today17hLabor secretary drank at work, brought staff to strip club, watchdog saysWLWPLG Local 1020hWatchdog report: Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer oversaw hostile work environment, misused fundsWPWPXI Pittsburgh20hWatchdog report: Ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer oversaw hostile work environment, misused fundsLeft coverage, 15 sources: The left frames this as a pattern of executive-branch dysfunction and hypocrisy, emphasizing the workplace toxicity, abuse of public funds, and the Trump administration's initial praise of Chavez-DeRemer.
NBC News20hFormer labor secretary created ‘toxic’ atmosphere, drank at work and misused funds, report says
The Independent20hTrump’s female Labor Secretary took her staff to small-town strip club and had cozy relationship with bodyguard, IG finds
ABC News8hFormer Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer had 'inappropriate relationship' with member of security detail, created a 'toxic' work environment: IG report
Al Jazeera14hWatchdog report alleges misconduct by Trump’s former labour secretary
Business Insider17hNew report details 'toxic' workplace under Trump's ex-Labor Secretary
CNN20hFormer labor secretary drank at the office and misused resources, probe findsDKDaily Kos16hFormer Trump labor chief shows why Democrats should never play ballJezJezebel13h‘Toxic, Intimidating, Humiliating’: New Watchdog Report Adds Detail to Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s Ousting
Los Angeles Times20hInternal watchdog report: Former Labor Secretary oversaw hostile work environment, misused funds
Mediaite21hEx-Labor Secretary Ordered Limo Driver to Drop Cash on ‘Partially Nude Dancers’: IG Report
MSNBC17hFormer Labor secretary led ‘toxic’ and ‘humiliating’ workplace, internal report finds
Political Wire1dTrump’s Labor Secretary Stoked Dysfunction and ToxicityRight coverage, 9 sources: The right covers the report's factual findings on the bodyguard relationship and strip club incident with detail, placing the story alongside similar misconduct cases involving officials from other administrations and parties.
Fox News21hFormer Trump Cabinet official had 'inappropriately close' relationship with bodyguard, IG finds
New York Post17hGOP Sen. Bill Cassidy puts hold on four Trump nominees after shocking report on Lori Chavez-DeRemer's behavior
The Epoch Times1dOfficial Had Inappropriate Relationship With Bodyguard While in Trump’s Cabinet: Inspector General
Daily Mail19hMarried Trump ex-Cabinet star's strip club shame as she ordered driver to shower a nude dancer in cash on a taxpayer trip
Just the News19hFormer Trump Cabinet official had inappropriate relationship with bodyguard, IG finds
The Daily Caller17hTrump’s Ex-Labor Secretary Fancied Strip Clubs, Abused Public Office Investigation Finds
The Daily Wire1dFormer Trump Labor Secretary’s Staff Antics Come To Light
The Washington Times19hEx-Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer contributed to 'toxic' work environment, says IG report
Washington Examiner18hLabor watchdog issues scathing report of former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s ‘toxic’ work cultureWhat’s next: Chavez-DeRemer's attorney Nick Oberheiden says she 'did not violate any law.'
- Keith Sonderling leads the Labor Department; his Senate confirmation vote is pending.
- Whether the IG findings will lead to any legal or financial consequences for Chavez-DeRemer or the unnamed security detail member.
- Whether the American Workers First PAC she founded after leaving office will face separate scrutiny given it has filed no public contribution reports.