Watchdog report says former Trump labor secretary misused staff and broke ethics rules

U.S. Representative Lori Chavez‑DeRemer, a Republican from Oregon’s 5th district, is facing scrutiny after a report alleged that she directed congressional staff to perform personal errands, consumed alcohol in her office, and breached federal ethics rules governing the use of government resources. The allegations stem from an internal review conducted by the House Office of Congressional Ethics, which cited multiple instances in which staff members were tasked with duties unrelated to official business, such as running personal errands and handling family matters. The review also documented occasions when the representative was observed drinking alcoholic beverages in her office space, a practice prohibited under the House’s conduct guidelines.

The Office of Congressional Ethics has forwarded its findings to the House Committee on Ethics for further examination, and the committee is expected to determine whether formal disciplinary action is warranted. Chavez‑DeRemer’s office issued a statement acknowledging the report and asserting that any alleged misconduct was unintentional, while also pledging full cooperation with the investigative process. The outcome of the ethics review will shape the representative’s standing in Congress and could set precedents for enforcement of staff‑use and conduct policies among lawmakers.