Labor Department facing EEO complaint of its own

The country’s top official, charged with running the agency that protects the welfare of all US workers, is accused of violating worker rights.

Labor Sec. Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s troubled tenure at the Francis Perkins Building is again under a microscope as she faces civil rights investigations into her leadership at the department and sexual misconduct allegations against her husband.

The complaints came from the Equal Employment Opportunity office and alleged that the secretary created a hostile workplace in which employees feared retaliation for opposing agency policy and that she retaliated against female employees who lodged complaints against her husband Shawn DeRemer for inappropriate “sexual touching,” according to MS Now.

One complaint alleged Chavez-DeRemer directed staff to do her personal chores, including cleaning out her closet, the news outlet reported.

The news of the grievances come as the department of labor inspector general continues to investigate allegations of misconduct involving the secretary and members of her senior staff. Last month, two top aides resigned amid that ongoing probe, HR Brew previously reported.

DeRemer’s attorneys denied any inappropriate conduct, according to the New York Post. Although no police charges have been filed against DeRemer, the inspector general has banned him from his wife’s office.

Trump is aware of the ongoing investigations, according to the New York Times. The troubles with Chavez-DeRemer’s behavior come as the president attempts to quiet concerns that a major cabinet shake-up may be on the horizon.

Earlier this month, former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired from her role at the Justice Department via a post on X. Trump also axed former DHS head Kristi Noam in March following her disastrous hearings before the US Congress.

Speculation inside the Washington Beltway has been growing that others in key administration positions may be at risk as the president sorts out a variety of wars, tariffs, and controversies.

“Secretaries Chavez-DeRemer and [Secretary of Commerce Howard] Lutnick are both doing a great job standing up for American workers, and they continue to have President Trump’s full support,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement reported by The Hill.

The good news for Chavez-DeRemer is that her performance is up to snuff, according to her boss. Then again, I’ve violated the rights of zero of my colleagues, and still got “meets expectations” last year on my annual review.