Recent reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has taken the unusual step of banning Dr. Shawn DeRemer, husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, from its main building. This action follows claims of inappropriate physical contact with employees. At the same time, the Secretary herself is the subject of an internal review regarding her own conduct with a subordinate staff member. These events have created a period of high scrutiny for the agency's leadership and its internal safety protocols.
Chronology of Events and Key Figures
The situation involves two separate but related sets of claims involving the Secretary and her husband.
January 9–10, 2026: Reports surface that an official complaint was filed with the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The complaint claims Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer engaged in an improper relationship with a subordinate.
January 11, 2026: Additional details emerge regarding claims of alcohol use in the workplace and potential misuse of travel funds.
February 18–19, 2026: Reports from The New York Times and other outlets state that Dr. Shawn DeRemer has been barred from the DOL building on Constitution Avenue. Security footage from February 18 allegedly shows the conduct that led to this decision.
Key Individuals Involved| Name | Role | Status/Allegation || :—- | :—- | :—- || Lori Chavez-DeRemer | Labor Secretary | Under investigation for an alleged relationship with a staffer. || Dr. Shawn DeRemer | Secretary's Husband | Barred from DOL premises following reports of sexual assault/touching. || Jihun Han | Chief of Staff | Allegedly named in a complaint for knowing about the Secretary's conduct. || Rebecca Wright | Deputy Chief of Staff | Also allegedly named regarding knowledge of the situation. |
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Evidence and Recorded Documentation
The claims against both individuals rely on a mix of digital records, witness statements, and physical security logs.
Security Footage: Sources state that cameras inside the Labor Department building recorded Dr. Shawn DeRemer touching women inappropriately on February 18, 2026.
Inspector General Complaint: A formal document filed in early January claims Secretary Chavez-DeRemer met a staff member at her private apartment and in hotel rooms during official travel.
Security Detail Logs: The complaint suggests the Secretary told her security team she did not need protection during specific windows of time in September, which allegedly matches the times she met with the staff member.
Travel Records: Investigators are reportedly looking at travel to Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Oregon to see if government funds were used for personal meetings.
Review of Physical Misconduct Claims
The most recent development involves the Secretary’s husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, an anesthesiologist. Reports indicate that he is no longer allowed to enter the Department of Labor premises.
"The husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been barred from the department’s headquarters after reports that he touched several women inappropriately," according to reports citing a police record.
Is this ban a temporary safety measure or a permanent security decision? While the department has not released a formal statement on the duration of the ban, the use of security camera footage as evidence suggests the agency is treating the matter as a verified security breach rather than a simple misunderstanding.
Internal Probe of the Secretary's Conduct
While her husband faces exclusion from the building, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer faces a probe into her professional ethics. The claims center on whether she used her power to maintain a relationship with a person she manages.
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Alcohol in the Office: The complaint alleges that drinking occurred during work hours within the department.
Subordinate Relationship: It is claimed the Secretary invited a staff member to her Washington D.C. apartment and to hotel rooms during at least two trips in September.
Staff Awareness: There are questions regarding whether Jihun Han and Rebecca Wright were aware of these events and if they took steps to address or hide them.
Contradictory Viewpoints
The public record shows a sharp divide between the accusations and the official response from the Secretary's office.
The Accusations: Anonymous sources and the formal OIG complaint describe a pattern of "misconduct" and "abuse of position." These reports suggest the Secretary ignored rules regarding staff interaction and security protocols.
The Defense: Labor Department spokesperson Courtney Parella has called the claims "categorically false" and "unsubstantiated." The White House has also defended the Secretary, calling the reporting "journalistic malpractice" and stating that the Secretary has followed all ethics rules.
Professional Assessment
Independent observers and internal oversight experts point to the difficulty of managing a department while the top leader and their spouse are both under scrutiny.
The primary concern for the OIG is whether the Secretary’s actions created a hostile work environment or led to the misuse of taxpayer money for personal travel.
Experts in government ethics note that "neither confirming nor denying" an investigation is standard policy for the OIG. This silence does not mean an investigation is not happening; rather, it protects the integrity of the process until a final report is ready. The ban on the Secretary's husband suggests that the department’s security branch is acting independently to protect staff, even while the legal process for the Secretary continues.
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Current Findings and Next Steps
The investigation into the Labor Department remains active. While no criminal charges have been filed at this stage, the administrative actions are significant.
Premises Exclusion: Dr. Shawn DeRemer remains restricted from entering the Department of Labor.
OIG Review: The Office of Inspector General is continuing to review the claims of an inappropriate relationship and the use of alcohol in the workplace.
Legal Action: The Secretary’s team has mentioned the possibility of legal action against those making the claims, though no such lawsuits have been confirmed.
The next phase of this process will likely involve the release of a formal report by the Inspector General, which will determine if any department policies or federal laws were broken.
Primary Sources Used
The New York Times / DNYUZ: Labor Secretary’s Husband Barred After Sexual Assault Reports - Reports on the exclusion of Dr. DeRemer and security footage.
The New York Post: Lori Chavez-DeRemer under investigation for ‘inappropriate’ relationship - Details the OIG complaint and travel concerns.
The Daily Beast: Labor Boss Accused of Relationship With Staffer - Provides the response from the DOL spokesperson and White House.
Hindustan Times: Lori Chavez-DeRemer family details and allegations - Covers the impact on the family and specific complaint details.
Times Now News: Secretary Faces Internal Probe - Summarizes the allegations of workplace drinking and rumor management.
