Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican congresswoman from Oregon, lost her re-election bid in November only to be named as Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Department of Labor.
"Lori's strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds," Trump wrote in a statement.
That statement from Trump directly references the congresswoman’s close relationship with powerful labor unions and is one reason her nomination surprised and disappointed some.
Mark Mix, president of National Right to Work Committee, says his organization is disappointed Trump chose a nominee who co-sponsored legislation to repeal right-to-work laws in 26 states.
“Further,” Mix tells AFN, “she is a supporter of a bill that would federally mandate unionization of government employees at the state level and at the local level."
In a rather telling statement, the AFL-CIO praised Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination because of her “pro-labor” record in Congress. During her one term, that record included co-sponsoring two labor union bills, the PRO Act and the Public Service Freedom of Negotiate Act.
In her unsuccessful bid for re-election, Chavez-DeRemer was endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers and Teamsters Local 37.
Asked about the nomination on American Family Radio, AFR radio host Jenna Ellis predicted Trump is making a rare mistake among his picks for a second term. That is because conservatives suspect the pro-labor congresswoman opposes Trump’s “America First” agenda.
“I think [Trump] may be shooting himself in the foot,” Ellis observed.
Asked about Trump's reasoning, Ellis agreed Trump likely chose Chavez-DeRemer to please the labor unions that publicly refused to endorse Kamala Harris for president.
"Maybe the earning of the position is not so much on merit for the position itself," Ellis speculated, "but rather for whatever else you brought to the table."
Mix says her nomination runs counter to Trump’s stated plans to weaken the power of the federal government.
"Thirdly, she is against school choice," adds Mix. "Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, has indicated this is a great choice for labor secretary."
Chavez-DeRemer will have to go through Senate confirmation. Mix predicts she will breeze through thanks to labor-friendly Democrats and to Republicans who will give Trump the freedom to pick his Cabinet.
