A senior official within the Department of Labor recently informed employees that discussing agency matters with journalists, former employees, or external parties could result in criminal charges. This directive came in the form of a memo issued on Monday by Jihun Han, the chief of staff for Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The memo, which was accessed by ProPublica, cautioned that individuals who leak confidential information or participate in unauthorized media communications could face serious legal ramifications.
The memo outlined that repercussions could include “potential criminal penalties based on the nature of the information and applicable laws,” as well as “immediate disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.” It stressed that any unauthorized interaction with the media, irrespective of what is disclosed, would be considered a grave violation.
Legal justifications, including those related to civil servants’ ethical duties and the Freedom of Information Act—which allows public inspection of certain records—were cited in the memo to support its stance. The memo declared this notice as the only warning to employees.
This guidance emerged as current and former employees of the Labor Department have voiced concerns to media outlets about perceived damage due to restructuring within the agency, which oversees the enforcement of workplace safety, fair pay, and anti-discrimination laws.
An anonymous Labor Department employee described the warning as “very chilling” and expressed concern over being directed not to discuss their work activities. Requests for comments directed to Labor Department spokespeople went unanswered.
Gabe Rottman, vice president of policy at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, remarked that such directives might restrict the free exchange of information to the press and the public, noting it as a concern. While federal employees retain some First Amendment rights, they face stringent restrictions regarding the public dissemination of information. Although agencies involved with classified information sometimes pursue criminal actions against leaks, this usually relates to national security or protected financial data.
Typically, disclosures to the media lead to employee discipline rather than criminal charges. The memo sent to Labor Department staff reflects a broader strategy during President Donald Trump’s administration to deter federal employees from engaging with journalists.
Examples of similar measures include Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s public commitment to pursue leakers aggressively, Elon Musk’s efforts to curb leaks at the Department of Government Efficiency, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attributing controversies over military discussions to alleged leaks by former staff.
ProPublica reports that speculation about employee surveillance has increased across federal agencies during Trump’s second term. For instance, the Department of Agriculture briefly displayed warnings on employees’ computer screens about penalties for unauthorized system use. Yet, Agriculture Department officials did not provide comments when requested.
The Labor Department employee told ProPublica that the recent memo seemed like the latest in a series of challenges, including layoffs and departmental reorganizations, contributing to a stressful work environment. The employee expressed that the ongoing conditions have been taxing and equated to a continuous state of distress imposed by their employer.
