Labor Secretary’s Husband Barred From Department After Assault Reports

Lead

The husband of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, has been barred from the Department of Labor’s headquarters in Washington after at least two female staff members reported that he touched them inappropriately, according to people briefed on the case. One alleged incident, on the morning of Dec. 18, was captured on the agency’s security cameras and reviewed by investigators. The complaints were raised in an internal inspector general inquiry into alleged misconduct that also involved the secretary’s senior staff, and on Jan. 24 the Metropolitan Police Department filed a report documenting forced sexual contact at the Labor Department. Local police say their sexual assault unit is investigating while the department has restricted Dr. DeRemer’s access pending the outcome.

Key Takeaways

• At least two female Labor Department staffers reported being touched inappropriately by Dr. Shawn DeRemer inside the department’s Washington headquarters.
• An incident on Dec. 18 was recorded on office security cameras and reviewed as part of a criminal inquiry.
• On Jan. 24 the Metropolitan Police Department filed a report describing forced sexual contact at the Labor Department address; police say their sexual assault unit is investigating.
• The allegations surfaced during an internal inspector general investigation into alleged misconduct by Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and senior staff, according to people familiar with the probe.
• Following the complaints, department officials barred Dr. DeRemer from entering the Labor Department premises pending internal and criminal inquiries.
• Neither Dr. DeRemer nor the Labor Department spokesperson provided substantive comment when contacted; a lawyer representing Secretary Chavez-DeRemer declined to comment on the inspector general inquiry.

Background

The Labor Department is a Cabinet-level agency whose Washington headquarters on Constitution Avenue regularly hosts staff, outside visitors, and spouses of officials. Inspector general offices in federal agencies investigate allegations of misconduct involving agency personnel and can prompt referrals to law enforcement when criminal conduct is suspected. Protocols for visitor access and conduct in federal buildings vary, but allegations of sexual misconduct inside agency premises raise both legal and ethical concerns for leadership and workplace safety.

In January, complaints about Dr. DeRemer emerged within a broader inspector general inquiry into alleged workplace misconduct tied to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and some members of her senior team. That parallel oversight review increased scrutiny of interactions at the department and triggered additional documentation and interviews. Federal agencies typically address such complaints through a combination of administrative actions, internal discipline processes, and coordination with law enforcement when the conduct may be criminal.

Main Event

The incidents at the center of the complaints reportedly took place inside the Department of Labor building; one occurred during working hours on the morning of Dec. 18 and was captured on security video. People familiar with the matter said the footage showed Dr. DeRemer giving a woman an extended embrace that investigators later reviewed. The security-camera review formed part of both the inspector general’s internal inquiry and the criminal review by local police.

After staff described the encounters to investigators, department officials moved to restrict Dr. DeRemer’s access to the building. Multiple people with knowledge of the decision said he was barred from entering the department’s premises while investigators continued their work. The move is an administrative precaution intended to limit contact between the accused and potential witnesses or complainants during both internal and criminal inquiries.

On Jan. 24 the Metropolitan Police Department filed a report tied to the Labor Department address documenting forced sexual contact in December. A police spokesman told reporters that the report was the only one connected to the department’s address during the previous three months. The office’s sexual assault unit has been assigned to the investigation, according to law enforcement sources briefed on the matter.

Analysis & Implications

Administratively barring an individual who is not an agency employee is an uncommon but not unprecedented step; it reflects an agency judgment that immediate separation is necessary to preserve safety and investigative integrity. For the Labor Department, the presence of the secretary’s spouse in a restricted status creates institutional and reputational challenges, especially while an inspector general probe into related workplace conduct is underway. The department must balance due process for those accused with protections for staff who report misconduct.

Politically, the developments raise questions about leadership accountability and oversight within the agency. If the inspector general’s review uncovers broader patterns of problematic behavior by senior staff, there could be calls for additional disciplinary action or congressional oversight. Even absent criminal charges, findings of workplace misconduct can prompt administrative sanctions and changes to visitor policies or enforcement of existing rules.

Legally, the criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s sexual assault unit will determine whether evidence supports prosecution. Video evidence can be influential in prosecutors’ charging decisions, but investigators also consider witness statements, timing, and corroborating documentation. Separately, complainants could pursue civil remedies, which would follow a different evidentiary path and timeline than criminal cases.

Comparison & Data

The compact timeline shows a sequence from the alleged event through internal and law enforcement review to public reporting. That progression is typical in cases where workplace complaints intersect with criminal allegations: internal officials document and review while law enforcement assesses possible criminality. The presence of security-camera footage shortens investigative timelines in many cases but does not determine outcomes by itself.

Reactions & Quotes

Public officials and department spokespeople have offered limited public comment as investigators continue their work. Media reporting has relied on law enforcement and people briefed on the inquiries to describe actions taken so far.

The report is the only one from the last three months associated with the Labor Department’s address.

Metropolitan Police Department (spokesman)

The Police Department’s sexual assault unit is investigating the matter.

Metropolitan Police Department (spokesman)

Unconfirmed

• Whether prosecutors will file criminal charges against Dr. Shawn DeRemer remains under review and has not been announced by law enforcement.
• Details of the inspector general’s findings related to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and senior staff have not been released publicly and are subject to the IG’s process.
• It is unclear whether additional complaints beyond the two women named to investigators exist or will surface in follow-up interviews.

Bottom Line

The Department of Labor has taken immediate administrative steps by barring Dr. Shawn DeRemer from its premises after two staffers reported inappropriate touching and a Dec. 18 incident was captured on security video. The case now proceeds on two tracks: an internal inspector general inquiry that flagged related concerns in January, and a criminal review by the Metropolitan Police Department’s sexual assault unit following a Jan. 24 report.

Observers should watch for public releases from the inspector general and any formal action by prosecutors, which will shape the legal and political consequences. Whatever the outcome, the situation underscores the need for clear visitor policies, robust complaint channels, and transparent processes to protect staff and maintain trust in agency leadership.

Sources

• The New York Times — news reporting summarizing interviews, police report, and inspector general inquiry
• Metropolitan Police Department — official law enforcement website and public statements