Trump Cabinet Member Suddenly Fired

21 Apr 2026 · 17 min · 5 chapters

Ask about this episode

Ask anything about it. ChatGPT or Claude reads this page and answers with the times it was said.

Connect VO and ask about every podcast you hear, including the moments you saved. Add to ChatGPT · Add to Claude

In short

Donald Trump firing Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRiemer amid allegations of misconduct and internal turmoil, with discussion of her labor record and what the firing signals for who’s next.

Guests

No specific guest names are provided in the transcript; it appears to be a solo host/commentator segment.

Guest backgrounds

Not applicable (no guests identified).

Key claims

Chavez-DeRiemer was fired/forced out (despite an administration statement saying she’s leaving for the private sector). Allegations include travel fraud, drinking on the job, strip club visits, and a criminal investigation involving her husband accused of sexual assault; two top aides (Jiwon Han, Rebecca Wright) resigned over hostile workplace/travel fraud claims.

Notable examples

Chavez-DeRiemer’s confirmation hearing reversal on the PRO Act; her TV appearances defending job numbers during a government shutdown; her acting Secretary replacement: Keith Sunderling.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

Tap a time to open that second in VO

Trump Fires Labor Secretary

4:00 to 9:00

A detailed discussion about Donald Trump's recent firing of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez de Reimer.

“And we had reported on the Midas Touch Network after Pam Bondi was fired that Lori Chavez-Daremer was likely to come next.”

Chavez de Reimer's Controversies

9:00 to 14:03

Exploring the controversies surrounding Lori Chavez de Reimer's tenure and her fall from Trump's cabinet.

“And here's what she said during Bernie Sanders' questioning of her during her confirmation hearing.”

Job Gains and Economic Challenges

14:03 to 14:49

The speaker discusses the momentum of job gains amidst economic uncertainties.

“We've been working so hard across the country to make sure that we are growing this economy and, you know, really having the workforce investments that we've been doing to only see it come to a screeching halt.”

Labor Secretary Fired: Analyzing the Situation

14:50 to 15:35

Discussion around the firing of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez de Reimer and political implications.

“the numbers for September, but is there anything you could tell us about the jobs picture today?”

Trump's Firing of Chavez de Reimer

15:35 to 15:50

The segment reveals the sudden firing of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez de Reimer by Trump.

“Is it going to be Kash Patel with the ridiculous lawsuit that he filed earlier today?”
Hear the part that matters, and keep it.Open this episode in VO. Double tap your headphones to save a moment as you listen.
Get VO free

Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Ben Meiselas:This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. Last year, I went through many different life changes. I needed to take a pause and examine how I was feeling in the inside to better show up for the ones who need me to be my best version of myself. When you're navigating life's changes, Talkspace can help. Talkspace is the number one rated online therapy, bringing you professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatry providers that you can access anytime, anywhere. Living a busy life, navigating a long-distance relationship, becoming a first stepfather, Talkspace made all of those journeys possible.

0:35Ben Meiselas:I could speak with my therapist in the office. I could speak with my therapist in the comfort of my home. I was never alone. Talkspace works with most major insurers, and most insured members have a$0 copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get$80 off your first month with promo code SPACE80 when you go to Talkspace.com. Match with a licensed therapist today at Talkspace.com. Save$80 with code SPACE80 at Talkspace.com. When Mother's Day means celebrating your mom, your wife, maybe even your daughter as a new mom, trust 1-800-Flowers to help you celebrate every important woman in your life. With double blooms from 1-800-Flowers, order one dozen roses and get another dozen for free.

1:15Ben Meiselas:It's a simple way to give beautifully with colorful blooms that make Mother's Day feel meaningful. For every mom you're celebrating, order with confidence and get double blooms at 1-800-Flowers.com slash podcast. That's 1-800-Flowers.com slash podcast. Save on tropical flavors at Whole Foods Market during the Savor the Tropics event, with yellow sales signs highlighting seasonal finds throughout the store. The produce section is bursting with pineapples, mangoes, and kiwis at their juiciest. Grill up fresh seafood paired with tropical fruit marinades, or grab and enjoy the spicy Hawaiian pizza, huli huli chicken, and more.

1:53Finish with a sweet slice of mango yuzu chantilly cake. Savor the tropics and save at Whole Foods Market.

2:00Ben Meiselas:Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same premium wireless for$15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do at mintmobile.com slash switch. Upfront payment of$45 for three-month plan, equivalent to$15 per month required. Intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available. Taxes and fees extra. Default terms at mintmobile.com. Close your eyes. Listen to monday.com. Feel the sensation of an AI work platform.

2:37Ben Meiselas:So flexible and intuitive, it feels like it was built just for you. Now open your eyes, go to monday.com. Start for free and finally breathe. This just in, Donald Trump has fired another cabinet member. Let me repeat, another cabinet member has been fired by Donald Trump. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez de Reimer has been fired by Donald Trump. The regime made an announcement moments ago. They said that she'll be working in a private sector job. You'll recall that she was under investigation for reportedly pursuing a relationship with a subordinate for potential travel fraud, for potential drinking on the job.

3:18Ben Meiselas:She denied these allegations. Also allegations that she would go to strip clubs and she would spend lots of money on these lavish vacations and in Vegas. Also, it was reported that her husband had been barred from entering the labor department headquarters after two female staffers accused him of sexual assault inside the building, according to a New York Times report. One alleged incident was captured on a security camera, according to this report, although she and her husband denied it and was now apparently part of a criminal investigation. It should also be noted that two of her top aides had resigned based on this investigation.

4:01Ben Meiselas:Labor Secretary or former Labor Secretary, now Chavez-Daremer's top aides, Jiwon Han and Rebecca Wright, resigned based on this investigation into allegations that they created a hostile workplace and committed travel fraud with cabinet officials. They denied that. Here was a New York Post of all places, right-wing propaganda paper New York Post reported that an investigation uncovered that Lori Chavez-Daremer's office booze stash and strip club visits with subordinates was a major, major issue that was being looked into. And we had reported on the Midas Touch Network after Pam Bondi was fired that Lori Chavez-Daremer was likely to come next.

4:46Ben Meiselas:We also were predicting that Cash Patel and potential others were going to be fired next, but Lori Chavez-Daremer fired. They claim that she's resigning, but she was obviously forced out, in my opinion. Stephen Chung, Donald Trump's communications director, posted the following message. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Daremer 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 Sunderling will take on the role of acting Secretary of Labor.

5:25Ben Meiselas:Of course, nothing that Stephen Chung said is true. We saw job losses, manufacturing job losses, construction job losses, some of the worst job numbers in the history of the United States under Chavez, DeRimer, and Donald Trump's 10-year. And again, job report after job report was worse than the next. It didn't seem like Chavez, DeRimer knew this termination was coming about four hours ago. She was making social media posts talking about expanding apprenticeship, strengthening safety, building pathways to critical careers, which is just a bunch of BS because she's doing the opposite. But she made a post on social media four hours ago.

6:06Ben Meiselas:I mean, you'll recall that Chavez de Riemer was one of the biggest sycophants and bootlickers of Donald Trump, one of the least qualified people. And that's saying a lot on this cabinet of horrifically unqualified people. Remember, she was one of the first people who started draping Donald Trump's billboards on the build government buildings. The first big Donald Trump Stalin-esque Kim Jong-un-esque billboard was on the Department of Labor building. And then she would give these various statements during the cabinet meetings about her obsequiousness to Donald Trump. It was very, very humiliating.

6:41Ben Meiselas:like, remember this cabinet meeting appearance where Lori Chavez de Reimer said, you know, your big, beautiful face is all over our buildings. Remember how weird it was here? Play this clip. If you all haven't stopped by the Department of Labor, Mr. President, I invite you to see your big, beautiful face on a banner in front of the Department of Labor, because you are really the transformational president of the American worker, along with the American flag and President Roosevelt. I want to rewind a little bit about who Lori Chavez Doremer is. She was a former congresswoman from Oregon, Republican, of course.

7:15Ben Meiselas:She claimed she supported workers when she was a Republican congresswoman. She claimed that she supported the PRO Act, which was one of the most important pro-union pieces of legislation out there, which all Republicans and Trump and MAGA definitely opposed because it strengthens unions. And she was a supporter of that, which you could disagree with her on a lot of things, but she claimed to support the PRO Act. But then during her confirmation hearing, she wouldn't get confirmed unless she said she no longer supported the PRO Act. So when she was cross-examined by Rand Paul during her confirmation hearing back in February of 2025, she said she no longer supports the PRO Act, play this clip.

7:56Ben Meiselas:Do you still support the PRO Act or don't you support the PRO Act? Thank you, Senator Paul. And I appreciated our meeting as well. I thought it was quite...

8:10What you shared with me is how important it is to you and your state, and I heard that from many members. The right to work is a fundamental tenet of labor laws, where states have a right to choose if they want to be a right-to-work state, and that should be protected. Pro Act will overturn that. Yes, thank you, Senator. I signed on to the Pro Act because I was representing Oregon's 5th District, But I also signed on to the PRO Act because I wanted to be at that table and have those conversations. But I fully, fairly, and support states who want to protect their right to work. I have said that to every senator that I have visited.

8:45Ben Meiselas:So you no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned state right to work laws? Yeah. There were so many parts. That's a yes? Yes. Yes, sir.

8:57Ben Meiselas:No more questions. Thank you, Senator. With that, I go to Senator Murray. And here's what she said during Bernie Sanders' questioning of her during her confirmation hearing. Let's play it.

9:14Ben Meiselas:You're not the congresswoman from Oregon anymore, right? Yes, sir. Okay. You're trying to become Secretary of Labor. Let me back up and say a word about what the PRO Act is. I'm not sure that most Americans know what it is. The reality is that in America today, labor unions have the support of some 70 % of the American people. You know why? Because people understand that the big corporations and their bosses have all the power. People understand that CEOs make 300 times more than their workers. And people say, you know what, the only way we're going to get decent wages and benefits is when we organize.

9:50Ben Meiselas:Millions of people want to join unions. But they can't join unions. You know why? Because corporations day after day operate in illegal ways. They break the law. They say to somebody, you were late three years ago. You were poor union. You were late three years. You're fired. We're going to take you into a captive audience. And for hour after hour, we're going to tell you how bad unions are. You want to join a union? Fine. You vote for a union. We're moving the plant to China. All of that stuff happens to be illegal. All of that stuff happens to be done every single day by corporate America. So let me go back to the original question.

10:28Ben Meiselas:PRO Act is designed to prevent illegal behavior on the part of corporate America, on the part of employers, so that workers can make a free choice. Do you support the PRO Act? Thank you, Ranking Member Sanders. And I appreciate the conversation. I support the American worker. President Trump. Okay, I don't mean to be rude. No, you're not rude. We don't have a lot of time. I'm gathering that you no longer support the product, is what I hear, that you support the American worker. That's what everybody here will say. Then you'll recall that she would go on state regime media, which calls itself Fox, and give these really embarrassing appearances like this one on Varney.

11:11Ben Meiselas:Let's play this clip. Madam Secretary, 92 ,000 jobs out in February. Fewer jobs in health care, fewer jobs for information services because of AI. the weather hurt things government employment down if you add it all up it doesn't look good for the Trump economy yeah I couldn't agree with you I think we have to address the fact that this is not a good report in its raw numbers but we have to also talk about why this possibly has happened this snapshot in time it was mentioned the weather we saw health care numbers go down We saw a record strike in California, over 30 ,000 jobs lost there, but that has been resolved.

11:55So we're hoping to see those numbers tick back up next month. But overall, we've gained 60 ,000 new jobs over the last two months. So this is important for us to recognize what the message is here, what the noise is, and how focused the Labor Department is in making sure that we can bring back those jobs in construction, manufacturing. We're seeing the confidence go up. We've seen the investments that the president has made. I've said it over and over again. The president and I talk. We visit on this often. It's important to him. We're laser focused to make sure that we have that skilled workforce.

12:28And it's just going to take some time. So we're recognizing what happened this month. And we're going to stay laser focused to bring those jobs numbers up.

12:36Ben Meiselas:Or here she is talking about the jobs data and saying, you know what? We just don't have good data at this point. That's the issue. So we're just going to make it up, basically play this clip. Yeah, you don't get that time back. That's exactly what I believe that you are saying. Sometimes it's too late to get accurate data points. And like I said, the household surveys were not able to be done and businesses submitted the passive information. So is it a little too late? It's similar to the Fed a little too late on these interest rate drops. I'm looking forward to the December report on that, that they will again step up as the president has oftentimes asked them to pay attention to.

13:17But again, because of the Democratic shutdown, we don't have that accurate data for them to make a good decision. But I believe that the Fed needs to cut the interest rates again in December to really prop up this economy that the president has been so forceful in by bringing the trillions of dollars by the Department of Labor, really looking at the skilled workforce. And now this is one more way for the Fed to help out the American people because of this Democratic shutdown. 43 days going on 44. This is detrimental to the markets and to the American people.

13:51Ben Meiselas:Or here's what she said to Maria Bartiroma. You could play this clip right here. But certainly in this administration and as a former member of Congress, for them to not see that they are hurting the American people. We've been on a momentum of job gains. We've been working so hard across the country to make sure that we are growing this economy and, you know, really having the workforce investments that we've been doing to only see it come to a screeching halt. While we're not going to get the jobs numbers report because they will not open this government, we want to keep the momentum going. I mean, that's been the goal as I've traverse this country.

14:29We're seeing consumer confidence up. We're seeing businesses want to reinvest in their workforce. And this is only, you know, a real screeching halt for the American people. And it's unfortunate that the Democrats don't see that, that they're fighting for the American people and they're going to pay. Well, I mean, you know, the data, though, you know where we are. I mean, we've had three months of slowing jobs. We know we don't have the numbers for September, but is there anything you could tell us about the jobs picture today? Yeah, what we're seeing is the investments.

14:57Ben Meiselas:And I'll just remind you that now Democratic Congresswoman Bynum, who we've had on the show a ton, was the one who ultimately replaced Laurie Chavez-Daremer and just destroyed Chavez-Daremer in the debate. I'll just remind you of what went down. Let's play this clip right here. Is that my opponent voted 26 times to cut Social Security. Cite him. It's in the literature. Cite it. Baby, I will send it to you tonight. So folks, the big headline, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez de Reimer is out, fired by Donald Trump. They're claiming it's a resignation, but she's been fired. See you later. Who's next is the question.

15:36Ben Meiselas:Is it going to be Kash Patel with the ridiculous lawsuit that he filed earlier today? Is it going to be a Dan Driscoll, one of the army secretaries? Is it going to be, you tell me who you think it's going to be. Put in the comments below who's next. hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thanks for watching everybody.

16:21Jerry handles the legwork by comparing quotes side-by-side from over 50 top insurers, so you can confidently hit buy. No spam calls, no hidden fees. Jerry even tracks rates and alerts you when it's best to shop. Drivers who save with Jerry could save over$1 ,300 a year. Don't settle for higher rates. Download the Jerry app or visit jerry.ai slash libsyn today. That's j-e-r-r-y dot a-i slash l-i-b-s-y-n. Craving the coffee flavor you love, but without the caffeine? Cachava's got you covered with their newest coffee flavor. This all-in-one nutrition shake delivers bold, authentic flavor crafted from premium decaffeinated Brazilian beans.

17:03Quality nutrition shouldn't be complicated. Just two scoops of Cachava's all-in-one nutrition shake, and you've got 25 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, greens, and so much more. Whether you're craving that coffee taste to kickstart your morning ritual or as a nutrient-packed reward to round out your afternoon. Cachava keeps you fueled and satisfied wherever your day takes you. Plus, it actually tastes delicious. No fillers, no nonsense. Just the good stuff your body craves. And for the times you feel like switching it up, you've got seven flavors to choose from, all with the highest quality ingredients.

17:37Treat yourself to the flavor and nutrition your body craves. Go to cachava.com and use code NEWS. New customers get 15 % off their first order. That's K-A-C-H-A-V-A dot com code news.

From the publisher

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump firing another Cabinet Member, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

Visit https://meidasplus.com for more!

Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts:
MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast
Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af
MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial
The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast
Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan
The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show
The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show
Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54
On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman
Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from The MeidasTouch Podcast

All 2,222 episodes
Trump Cabinet Member Suddenly FiredThe MeidasTouch Podcast · 17 min
Listen in VO