Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the Secretary of the Department of Labor, has resigned after a tenure that can only be described as a masterclass in how not to run a federal agency. But while her reign of error may be over, the labor authority is still wobbling like a Jenga tower in an earthquake, according to officials who describe the situation as "constant turbulence."

Chavez-DeRemer was under investigation for allegedly having an affair with a subordinate, misusing travel funds, and steering grants to politically connected pals. Her husband was banned from the agency's headquarters over allegations of sexual assault by at least two staffers. In her resignation announcement on Instagram and X, she denied everything, blaming "high-ranked deep state actors" and "one-sided news media" for undermining President Trump's mission. Because of course she did.

She joins a growing exodus of Trump officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who have all left in recent weeks. Clearly, the administration is shedding staff faster than a snake sheds skin.

Omar Algeciras, vice-president of AFGE Local 2391, which represents Department of Labor workers, was not amused by the "deep state" rhetoric. "Labeling these workers as 'deep state' dismisses the mission and the people who carry it out every day," he said. He noted that career staff have kept the agency moving despite the chaos, and that Chavez-DeRemer never even signed a harassment policy statement - a requirement she apparently overlooked. The Department of Labor had no comment, probably because they were too busy cleaning up the mess.

Under Chavez-DeRemer's watch, the Department of Labor lost about 20% of its workforce through buyouts, resignations, and firings, and saw millions of dollars in international grants eliminated. Morale "plummeted," according to workers, amid cuts, deregulation, and threats against staff, including a memo warning employees not to talk to the media. In January 2026, union leaders criticized the department's social media for echoing Nazi rhetoric; the staffer responsible was promptly transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, which is certainly one way to handle it.

Labor experts piled on. Cathy Creighton, director of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations' Buffalo Co-Lab, noted that Chavez-DeRemer watched as the department's budget was slashed, supported the administration's attempt to annihilate federal workers' unions, and placed a three-story portrait of the president on the building. Because nothing says "I support workers" like a giant portrait of your boss.

The agency's deregulation agenda, announced in July 2025, included rescinding overtime and minimum wage protections for homecare and domestic workers, rolling back farm worker protections, and withdrawing a rule against paying disabled workers sub-minimum wage. Because who needs protections, right?

Congressional Labor caucus co-chairs Donald Norcross, Mark Pocan, Steven Horsford, and Debbie Dingell issued a joint statement criticizing Chavez-DeRemer for advancing the administration's anti-worker agenda, noting she was only removed due to scandals, not her harmful decisions. "Her tenure leaves workers with less protections and greater economic insecurity," they said.

Chavez-DeRemer was nominated with strong support from the Teamsters, whose president, Sean O'Brien, pushed for her nomination after Trump won the 2024 election. The Teamsters were "grateful" for the nomination, but they've since gone silent, not responding to requests for comment. Probably because they're busy pretending this never happened.

The Department of Labor also didn't respond to requests for comment. Maybe they're still trying to find the harassment policy Chavez-DeRemer never signed.