President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his labor secretary. Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican, is expected to help implement Trump’s worker-focused promises, including bringing jobs back to the U.S., supporting manufacturing, and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.
Chavez-DeRemer was elected to Congress in 2022, flipping Oregon’s 5th District from Democratic to Republican. In response to her potential new role, she expressed excitement about advancing Trump’s mission to support American workers. “I’d be honored to work tirelessly to empower our nation’s workforce,” she stated.
Although she lost her re-election bid to Democrat Janelle Bynum in a challenging political environment, Chavez-DeRemer’s pro-union stance has drawn support from labor leaders. She is one of the few Republicans who backed the PRO Act, legislation aimed at strengthening union rights.
Sean O’Brien, president of the Teamsters union, publicly endorsed Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination. He highlighted her history of supporting workers’ rights, including union organization efforts. O’Brien thanked Trump for the selection and shared a photo with Trump and Chavez-DeRemer on social media.
Trump gained significant union worker support during the 2024 election, though his stance on unions has been mixed. While he joked about firing striking workers during his campaign, some of his allies, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, have supported organized labor.
If confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer will oversee a Labor Department facing legal challenges to Biden-era regulations. These include rules on worker overtime pay, independent contractor classifications, and federal construction wages. While some in the business community hope these policies will be rolled back, Chavez-DeRemer’s position on these matters remains unclear.
Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination signals Trump’s commitment to reshaping the Labor Department to align with his vision of empowering American workers. Her ability to balance business interests and labor rights will play a key role in shaping the department’s direction under the new administration.