Trump Labor Secretary Faces New EEO Complaints Over Alleged Retaliation Tied to Husband’s Accused Misconduct
At least three formal Equal Employment Opportunity complaints have been filed against Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer alleging she fostered a toxic, retaliatory workplace and targeted women who reported her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, for alleged sexual misconduct in Labor Department offices late last year, according to sources familiar with the filings. Two young female staffers say Shawn DeRemer subjected them to unwanted sexual touching at department facilities, with one incident reported to D.C. police in December and at least one episode partially corroborated by office security footage, though the Metropolitan Police Department ultimately closed its probe finding no crime while the husband remains banned from the agency. The complaints also accuse the secretary of directing subordinates to perform personal tasks, such as cleaning out one of her clothing closets, and add to an ongoing Department of Labor Inspector General investigation into Chavez-DeRemer’s conduct and that of senior aides. Earlier reporting has detailed separate allegations that she abused her position through an "inappropriate" relationship with a subordinate, drinking in the office during work hours, and possible travel fraud, all of which she and her spokesperson have previously denied as baseless. The expanding set of internal and external probes, plus fresh discrimination claims, raise new questions about Chavez-DeRemer’s future in President Trump’s cabinet and feed broader public concern online about harassment, favoritism and retaliation inside federal workplaces.
📌 Key Facts
- At least three formal workplace discrimination complaints have been lodged against Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer through the Equal Employment Opportunity process.
- Two young female staffers allege Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, subjected them to unwanted sexual touching at Labor Department offices in late 2025.
- D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department investigated at least one incident reported in December, reviewed office security footage that appeared to corroborate parts of a staffer’s account, then closed the case finding no evidence of a crime while keeping Shawn DeRemer banned from department premises.
- The Labor Department’s Inspector General is already investigating Chavez-DeRemer and senior staff over separate allegations, including an "inappropriate" relationship with a subordinate, drinking at work, and possible travel fraud, all of which she has previously denied.
📊 Relevant Data
In a 2021 Merit Systems Protection Board survey, 14.9% of women and 6.5% of men in the federal workforce reported experiencing sexual harassment in the two years prior to the survey.
Sexual Harassment in Federal Workplaces: 2021 Update — U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board
Between FY 2018 and FY 2021, 78.2% of sexual harassment charges filed with the EEOC were filed by women.
Sexual Harassment in Our Nation's Workplaces — U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Of the sexual harassment charges filed with the EEOC between FY 2018 and FY 2021, 43.5% were concurrently filed with a retaliation charge.
Sexual Harassment in Our Nation's Workplaces — U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
In 2023, the federal workforce was 55% male and 45% female, with racial breakdown of 60% White, 19% Black, 10% Hispanic, and 40% identifying as a person of color overall.
A Profile of the 2023 Federal Workforce — Partnership for Public Service
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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