Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's Husband Was Reportedly Barred From the Department's Headquarters

The New York Times reported on February 19, 2026 that Dr. Shawn DeRemer, an anesthesiologist and the husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, had been barred from the Department of Labor headquarters after at least two female staff members said he touched them inappropriately. A building restriction notice said that if he attempted to enter he was to be asked to leave, and District of Columbia police filed a report in late January documenting a December incident. The concerns reportedly surfaced during an internal inspector general inquiry involving the Secretary.

The allegations are unproven and Dr. DeRemer holds no government position. At issue institutionally is how a cabinet department handles misconduct complaints from career staff when the subject is a Secretary's spouse. Reporting indicated police closed the matter without charges in late February while the building restriction remained.