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The widening misconduct scandal at the Labor Department has forced several aides and members of the security staff in Ms. Chavez-DeRemer's inner circle onto administrative and investigative leave.

The inspector general's office is investigating a formal complaint that Ms. Chavez-DeRemer was having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a subordinate " a member of her security detail " and abusing her office by taking staff to strip clubs, drinking alcohol on the job and taking personal trips at taxpayer expense. Her lawyer has denied the allegations.

President Trump nominated Ms. Chavez-DeRemer as his labor secretary in late 2024, and she was confirmed in March last year. She was a Republican congresswoman from Oregon before losing her bid for re-election in 2024.

During her tenure as labor secretary, thousands of department employees have been pushed out of the federal service. Her department has also broadcast social media messages that echoed those used by white nationalists.