It was announced today that Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is the next one overboard on President Donald J. Trump’s sinking ship. It’s worth noting that the situation at the Labor Department was a time bomb waiting to explode. Ms. Chavez-DeRemer has been accused of a variety of indiscretions, such as drinking on the job, scheduling work appointments to facilitate a personal vacation, and having an illicit affair with one of her staff members.

The only question for the predictive markets is who would go first. Would it be FBI Director Kash (hard-partying, personal-jet-using) Patel? Or how about National Intelligence? Director Tulsi (conspiracy theorist, forgotten) Gabbard? Well, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer comes home the winner, but don’t worry. Kashi and Tulsi will soon be following her on the next boat that sails from the island.

Chavez-DeRemer’s Exit Announcement

First, the subterfuge. This is what White House director of communications Steven Cheung posted today on X about Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s “resignation.”

“Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving the Administration to take a position in the private sector. She has done a phenomenal job in her role by protecting American workers, enacting fair labor practices, and helping Americans gain additional skills to improve their lives. Keith Sonderling will take on the role of Acting Secretary of Labor.”

Sound familiar. Yep. It’s the same old song and dance that was used when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi were unceremoniously ushered out of D.C recently. It’s what these political types do. Try to sweep as much of the garbage and stink under the rug as possible.

At least Chavez-DeRemer and Bondi did not hang around and suffer further embarrassment. Unlike Ms. Noem, who was handed a make-believe job as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas program, where she is reportedly on her way out.

What a Mess Left Behind at Labor

How bad did it get under Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure as Labor Secretary? Former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), who is the Labor Department’s internal watchdog, has led a yearlong investigation into the stunning allegations against the former Secretary and her staff. Some of the most damning allegations leveled against the former Secretary include:

• That Ms. Chavez DeRemer was having an affair with a member of her security team.
• Personal text messages that revealed that she was drinking alcohol during the workday.
• That the former Secretary and her staff abused federal spending limits on personal trips, spending lavishly on fancy hotels, S.U.V. rentals, and expensive meals.
• Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s husband has been banned from the department’s offices after some female staff members accused him of touching them inappropriately.

Not only was there an internal investigation into Chavez-DeRemer and her staff’s conduct, but Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), the chair of the Judiciary Committee, has demanded internal records and statements from the department regarding these allegations. The former Secretary purportedly decided that rather than face the music for these charges, she would exit stage right. No doubt with Mr. Trump’s shoe giving her a swift kick out the door.

What’s Next

What will the fallout at the Labor Department be from Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s numerous improprieties? Immediately, Mr. Sonderling and Mr. D’Esposito will attempt to stabilize the department and convince Trump and Congress that the department is now running competently and professionally. No small task after the dumpster fire that has been the Labor Department since the president took office a year ago, January for his second term.

As for the Trump administration, with no end to the war with Iran in sight, prices for gas, groceries, and everyday items ballooning out of control, and the president’s free-falling standing in the polls, look for more heads to roll as Trump seeks to blame anyone but himself for the failure of his policies.