President-elect Donald Trump has selected Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) to serve as Secretary of Labor, rounding out his Cabinet picks as he prepares to assume office. Chavez-DeRemer, who served one term in the House before losing her seat to Democrat Janelle Bynum in November, brings a record of bipartisan support for labor rights to the role.
Chavez-DeRemer’s selection follows her notable backing from the Teamsters union, an endorsement that underscored her appeal to organized labor. Despite the union’s decision not to endorse Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign, its president, Sean O’Brien, spoke at the Republican National Convention in July—a shift from big labor’s historical alignment with Democrats.
A proponent of worker protections, Chavez-DeRemer was one of only three House Republicans to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which seeks to bolster labor rights and protections. This stance aligns with Trump’s efforts to solidify support among working-class Americans, whose backing played a pivotal role in his victory over Harris.
Trump’s Cabinet also features other congressional Republicans, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as ambassador to the United Nations, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) as national security adviser, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general. Unlike these nominees, Chavez-DeRemer’s appointment will not affect the GOP’s slim majority in the House, as she lost her reelection bid.
The nomination of Chavez-DeRemer signals Trump’s commitment to appealing to labor unions and working-class voters, a key demographic that swung back toward the Republican Party in 2024 after years of Democratic dominance. Her leadership at the Department of Labor will likely focus on balancing the interests of workers and employers, a challenge she has faced throughout her career.
