The Divide · September 5, 2026
Labor Department Inspector General finds former Secretary Chavez-DeRemer had inappropriate relationship with bodyguard and created hostile work environment
The Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General released a report on Thursday finding that former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer developed an "inappropriately close and unprofessional relationship" with the assistant special agent-in-charge of her security detail and contributed to a hostile work environment. The investigation began after the OIG received an anonymous complaint in January and included interviews with dozens of current and former Labor Department employees. Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April, one day before she was scheduled to be interviewed by investigators.
How the coverage split
NPR led with the four categories of misconduct as a structural framework, devoting significant space to the hostile workplace allegations including specific quotes about appearance-based harassment and discriminatory comments by aides.
Fox News led with the 'inappropriately close' relationship and the strip club incident, placing the salacious personal conduct at the top of its coverage before addressing the broader workplace environment.
What both sides skipped
Neither source reported whether the OIG referred any findings to the Justice Department or other enforcement body, or whether ASAIC 1 or the aides Han and Wright face any further disciplinary or legal consequences beyond the ASAIC's resignation.
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