President Donald Trump has formally nominated acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to permanently lead the U.S. Department of Labor, sending the pick to the Senate for confirmation.
Sonderling has been leading the department on an acting basis since former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer departed the role in April.
Trump announced the nomination on Truth Social, calling it a “Great Honor” to put forward Sonderling’s name for the permanent Cabinet position.
“Keith previously served as Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer and, during my First Term, worked at the U.S. Department of Labor as the Acting and Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division,” Trump wrote.
Trump added that “throughout his career, Keith has proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country, and I know he will do an incredible job in his new role.”
If confirmed by the Senate, Sonderling would continue overseeing the enforcement of federal labor laws, workforce development programs, and the administration’s broader employment agenda.
Sonderling has publicly affirmed Trump’s campaign commitment to bringing high-paying private sector jobs back to the United States, highlighting growth in manufacturing and construction employment.
He has credited substantial investment by major companies, including Lockheed Martin and Toyota, as central to that jobs surge, while stressing efforts to upskill American workers for in-demand roles.
Chavez-DeRemer’s exit from the Labor Department came after a whistleblower complaint alleged she had an affair with a member of her security detail, drank on the job, and directed staff to perform personal errands at taxpayer expense.
Additional allegations included claims that her husband made unwanted advances toward department officials and that family members routinely sent personal requests to young staffers, according to previous reporting.
Further complaints alleged that Chavez-DeRemer kept stashes of liquor around the office, with the New York Post first reporting the misconduct allegations in January, though Chavez-DeRemer has denied them.
Reported personal errands allegedly requested of staff included picking up dry cleaning, purchasing wine, and cleaning out the secretary’s closet, with threats allegedly used to ensure compliance.
The Labor Department’s inspector general launched a formal investigation into the allegations, which remains ongoing following Chavez-DeRemer’s departure from the department.
Sonderling’s nomination now moves to the Senate, where confirmation hearings are expected to determine whether he will formally assume one of the more consequential roles in the administration’s domestic economic agenda.
