Democrats say Trump administration ‘imploding’ after third cabinet member steps down
Democrats are celebrating Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s departure from the Trump administration.
“This administration is imploding,” the Democratic party said, pointing to the recent firings of attorney general Pam Bondi and homeland security secretary Kristi Noem.
A former Republican lawmaker from Oregon, Chavez-DeRemer had faced a string of controversies as secretary and accusations of professional misconduct, including allegations of an affair with a member of her security team and that she used government resources for personal travel.
Key events
Summary
This blog is winding down. Here’s a look at some of today’s developments:
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Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, resigned from her role with the administration. She said it was “an honor and a privilege to serve” to serve and that she would take on a job in the private sector. The departure came after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. Democrats celebrated, writing “this administration is imploding”.
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Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged excessive drinking and absences. Patel has sued the magazine for defamation with his attorneys calling the article a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.
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Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday. The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.
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The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign. Meanwhile, the California Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks continued to urge candidates trailing in the polls to exit the race.
David Smith
Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s exit comes after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. The labor secretary and her close aides are currently under investigation by the department’s inspector general over allegations of professional misconduct.
These include claims that Chavez-DeRemer had an affair with a member of her security detail, kept a “stash” of alcohol in her office and used government resources for personal travel, while her aides allegedly sought to channel grants towards politically connected figures, the New York Times reported in March.
The inspector general is also reviewing material showing Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides and family members routinely sent personal messages and requests to young staff members, another Times report said last week. Chavez-DeRemer’s husband and father exchanged text messages with young female staff members, according to the newspaper.
The scandals did not end there. The secretary’s husband, Shawn DeRemer, an anesthesiologist, was barred from the department’s headquarters after allegations by at least two female staff members that he had sexually assaulted them. The women told department officials that Shawn DeRemer had touched them inappropriately at the department’s building on Constitution Avenue in Washington.
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Lori Chavez-DeRemer addressed her resignation in a statement posted on X, calling it “an honor and a privilege to serve” in Donald Trump’s second administration.
“At the Department of Labor, I am proud that we made significant progress in advancing President Trump’s mission to bridge the gap between business and labor and always put the American worker first”, she wrote. “We created new pathways to mortgage-paying jobs, prepared workers to excel in the age of AI, took steps to lower prescription drug costs, promoted retirement security, and so much more”.
Chavez-DeRemer thanked the president, adding that she is “looking forward to what the future has in store as I depart for the private sector.”
Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged “excessive drinking” and absences from work.
“Americans deserve steady, SOBER leadership from their FBI Director. Kash Patel must resign immediately,” the Democrat said on Monday. “Every day he remains in office is a national security risk.”
Patel has sued the magazine for defamation, and is seeking $250m in damages for the article which his attorneys described as a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.
Democrats say Trump administration ‘imploding’ after third cabinet member steps down
Democrats are celebrating Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s departure from the Trump administration.
“This administration is imploding,” the Democratic party said, pointing to the recent firings of attorney general Pam Bondi and homeland security secretary Kristi Noem.
A former Republican lawmaker from Oregon, Chavez-DeRemer had faced a string of controversies as secretary and accusations of professional misconduct, including allegations of an affair with a member of her security team and that she used government resources for personal travel.
Lauren Gambino
If you’re a Democrat running for governor and polling in the low-single digits, Rusty Hicks would like a word.
“My call for candidates to honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaigns still stands, especially if you are stalled in the single digits, seeing financial resources dried up and/or are failing to pick up additional support,” Hicks, the California Democratic party chair, pleaded on a press call with reporters earlier.
It’s the same message Hicks has been delivering for weeks. But the fall of Eric Swalwell, who abandoned his campaign for governor and resigned from Congress amid a storm of sexual assault and misconduct allegations–the most serious of which he denies–has renewed fears that Democrats might be sleep-walking into electoral disaster in the nation’s most populous blue state.
Under California’s so-called “jungle primary,” the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election, regardless of party. According to the latest tracking poll, conducted by EVITARUS Research for the state party, two Republicans – Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco – continue to lead the pack. This is despite Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, which many observers believed would push Republicans to consolidate around Hilton.
Swalwell’s support had completely collapsed, dropping from 12% earlier this month to less than 1%, the poll showed. By contrast, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra who had been languishing at just 4%, surged to 13%, tied with leading Democrat Tom Steyer. Former congresswoman Katie Porter garnered 10%, followed by several Democrats who fell under the 5% mark.
Hicks acknowledged that Swalwell’s shock exit reset the race, giving someone like Becerra, whose campaign appeared stalled, a new opportunity. But he insisted that was not the case for every candidate and urged those Democrats to “do what is best for California in this historic moment”.
“They can hold out hope,” Hicks told reporters, “but the numbers are what the numbers are.”
Moments before his press conference, former state controller Betty Yee dropped out of the governor’s race, saying she didn’t see a path forward.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer steps down as Trump’s labor secretary
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, is leaving her role with the administration, a White House official said.
Sources told NBC News that the secretary had resigned. Chavez-DeRemer recently faced allegations of abuses of power that included drinking on the job and engaging in an affair with a subordinate.
The White House communications director Steven Cheung said that she is leaving to work in the private sector and deputy Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary.
“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,” Cheung said.
Speculation has been mounting for weeks that Chavez-DeRemer’s role with the administration was at risk.
Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday, the White House said.
The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.
The move comes as the Trump administration seeks to address skyrocketing fuel prices consumes are facing due to the US and Israel’s war on Iran.
“Today’s determinations allow the Department of Energy to use funding secured in the One Big Beautiful Bill to strengthen our grid infrastructure and unleash reliable, affordable, secure energy,” said Taylor Rogers, a White House spokesperson.
The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign.
The development came a week after Eric Swalwell dropped out of the contest after news outlets reported on allegations of sexual assault against him, which the congressman has denied.
If elected, the progressive Yee would have been the first woman to hold the state’s highest office, but her campaign was outmatched in fundraising and ultimately wasn’t able to break through the packed field. The race remains unpredictable with six Democrats and two Republicans leading in polling on the ballot.
Here’s a recap of the day so far
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FBI director Kash Patel has sued the Atlantic magazine for defamation, seeking $250m in damages over an article that details Patel’s alleged “excessive drinking” and frequent absences from work. In the lawsuit, Patel’s legal team accuses the magazine and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick of publishing “a sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”. In response, the Atlantic called the legal action “meritless” and voted to “vigorously defend” their reporting and journalists.
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Senate Democrats are set to launch their fifth attempt to pass a war powers resolution on Tuesday to curb the Trump administration’s military action in Iran. Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, the latest effort will come a day before the two-week ceasefire expires. Donald Trump has threatened to strike energy infrastructure in Iran if a deal isn’t secured during further negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Despite Tehran not yet committing to talks this week, Trump said on a social media that he expects a deal with Iran will happen “relatively quickly”. He also denied that he is under “pressure” to make a deal. “THIS IS NOT TRUE!” he added on Truth Social.
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Meanwhile, the Trump administration has begun accepting applications from businesses seeking refunds for more than $166bn in tariffs, months after the supreme court ruled that the president had no legal authority to impose them. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Launched on Monday the digital claims system, named Cape, which they said in court filings could handle about 63% of affected import filings, with the remainder to follow.
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Lawmakers on Capitol Hill will have 10 days to hash out negotiations on section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), after both chambers agreed to a short-term extension last week. Now, GOP leadership will have to unify their fractured conference to satisfy a need for reforms for the provision, which allows national security agencies to collect and review texts and emails sent to and from foreigners living outside the US without a warrant.
Trump claims again an Iran deal will happen ‘relatively quickly’
Donald Trump said on a social media that a deal with Iran will happen “relatively quickly”. However, it’s worth pointing out that Tehran has not officially committed to talks this week, which vice-president JD Vance is set to lead in Islamabad, Pakistan.
He also denies that he is under “pressure” to make a deal. “THIS IS NOT TRUE!” he added on Truth Social.
The president went on to post that the economic impact of the war, particularly the US blockade of Iranian ports in the strait of Hormuz, is kneecapping the regime. “They are losing $500 Million Dollars a day, an unsustainable number, even in the short run,” Trump claimed, without citing evidence.
Senate Democrats to force fifth war powers resolution vote on Tuesday
Senate Democrats are set to launch their fifth attempt to pass a war powers resolution on Tuesday to curb the Trump administration’s military action in Iran.
Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, the latest effort will come a day before the two-week ceasefire expires. Donald Trump, for his part, has threatened to strike energy infrastructure if a deal isn’t secured.
A reminder that four war powers resolutions have failed in the upper chamber in recent weeks. But Democrats have vowed to keep bringing them to the floor each week the war in Iran continues to put “Republicans on record”.
Hardliners warn that Fisa extension is a no-go if voter ID bill dissipates on Capitol Hill
One of the main areas of pushback that Republican leadership in Congress has faced in trying to pass an extension of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa) is push to keep the bill “clean”, despite GOP hardliners insisting that reforms and additions are needed.
Some members of the conference, like Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, have said that if Donald Trump’s sweeping voter ID bill ends up falling off the legislative agenda, a Fisa extension is off the table. “They want surveillance powers renewed but won’t secure elections? No SAVE America Act = No FISA,” she wrote on X.
As the Senate plans to bring a reconciliation bill to the floor this week – in order to secure funding for federal immigration enforcement – the Save America Act will no longer be up for debate. Currently, the president’s prized legislation, which would require proof of citizenship in order to vote, is languishing in the upper chamber as it lacks the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster.
Donald Trump has said that a “lots of bombs start going off” if the two-week ceasefire deal lapses this week with no deal secured.
In an interview with PBS News, the president added that he didn’t know whether Tehran are taking part in the most recent round of talks in Islamabad. “If they’re not there, that’s fine too,” he said.
When Liz Landers asked Trump whether it was appropriate that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who has had business interests in the Middle East region, should be negotiating on behalf of the US, the president said that Kushner is “purely negotiating for the fact that [Iran] are not going to have a nuclear weapon”.
“I sent my A-Team, he’s done an excellent job,” the president said.
In a statement, the Atlantic said that the lawsuit brought against the publication and the author of the article alleging Kash Patel’s excessive drinking and frequent absences at work is “meritless”.
“We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists,” the outlet said.
Trump claims that Israel never ‘talked’ him into launching a war on Iran
Yohannes Lowe
On Truth Social Donald Trump has said that Israel never “talked” him into the war with Iran, after reports that the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, put pressure on him into launching their joint assault on Iran in late February.
Justifying his military action, widely seen as being launched illegally, the US president claimed that the “results of Oct. 7th” added to his “lifelong opinion” that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.
As my colleague Julian Borger notes, Trump has repeatedly claimed, since starting the war, that Iran had been two to four weeks from making a nuclear weapon and firing it at the US and Israel, a claim rejected as absurd by most experts.
Trump signed off his Truth Social post by saying if Iran’s new leaders were “smart” then the country could have a “great and prosperous” future.
He has previously said the US has been negotiating with figures inside Iran other than the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has reportedly been recovering from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the beginning of the war.
Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh is slated to tell lawmakers at his confirmation hearing tomorrow that he is “committed to ensuring that the conduct of monetary policy remains strictly independent”, according to a prepared statement sent to Politico.
“I am equally committed to working with the Administration and Congress on non-monetary matters that are part of the Fed’s remit,” reads the statement.
Warsh is also set to tell lawmakers at the hearing that monetary policymakers must make decisions based on “analytic rigor, meaningful deliberation, and unclouded decision-making”. He also suggests Donald Trump’s persistent calls for lower interest rates do not threaten the independence of the central bank.
“I do not believe the operational independence of monetary policy is particularly threatened when elected officials – presidents, senators, or members of the House – state their views on interest rates,” Warsh will say, according to the prepared statement sent to the news outlet. “Central bankers must be strong enough to listen to a diversity of views from all corners.”
Donald Trump dismissed his energy secretary, Chris Wright, who said gas prices are not expected to fall back under $3 a gallon until 2027, according to the Hill.
Over the weekend, CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Wright when he thought “it’s realistic for Americans to expect the gas will go back to under $3 a gallon”. Wright replied: “I don’t know. That could happen later this year. That might not happen until next year.”
“No, I think he’s wrong on that. Totally wrong,” Trump told the Hill on Monday, adding that gas prices will drop “as soon as this ends”, referring to the Iran war.
