Donald Trump’s Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer has been banned from Labor Department headquarters in Washington after at least two female staffers accused her of sexually assaulting her husband, the New York Times, Politico and Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
The accusations against Shawn DeRemer come as Chavez-DeRemer comes under fire over allegations of misconduct.
According to reports, DeRemer was accused of inappropriately touching two women at the Labor Department’s main building, named after Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in the US Cabinet. One of the incidents, which occurred during work hours in December, was recorded by office security cameras, according to the Times. The footage was reportedly reviewed as part of the criminal investigation into the incident.
A police report reviewed by the Guardian shows that the DC Metropolitan Police Department received a complaint on January 24 about the December 18 incident at the Labor Department offices. “The complainant reported sexual intercourse against her will,” the report reads. MPD has not confirmed the name of the suspect.
Politico, citing an unnamed source, said security staff at the Francis Perkins Building were instructed in late January to deny DeRemer entry.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Deremer denied the allegations. “I didn’t do any of this, and I unequivocally condemn these things. I absolutely, categorically fight everything,” he said.
The Labor Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Chavez-Deremer, a former congresswoman who lost a seat representing part of the Portland metro area in 2024, was nominated for Trump’s cabinet shortly after winning the election. Since then, she has faced many controversies.
In January, a security guard assigned to protect the Labor secretary was reportedly placed on leave because officials alleged a romantic relationship between them.
Two of the secretary’s top aides have also been placed on leave as the department’s inspector general investigates allegations that Chavez-Deremer drank alcohol during work hours and used taxpayer funds to pay for personal trips to destinations such as Las Vegas. On one of those trips she was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a crew member.
The Labor Department and Chavez’s attorney for Deremer denied the allegations.
The secretary’s biography on the department’s website says she “and her high school sweetheart, Dr. Shawn Dieremer, founded an anesthesia management company and several medical clinics throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
