President Donald Trump announced the Keith Sonderling Nomination to permanently lead the U.S. Department of Labor after months of serving as acting secretary. The nomination follows the departure of former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in April. Senate lawmakers will now consider whether to confirm him.
Trump said he selected Keith Sonderling because of his experience in labor policy and federal government service. He noted that Sonderling has served as acting labor secretary, deputy secretary, and chief operating officer. During Trump’s first administration, Sonderling also served as acting and deputy administrator of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
Following the announcement, Sonderling thanked Trump in a public statement. He described serving in both Trump administrations as the greatest honor of his career. If confirmed by the Senate, he said he plans to continue advancing the administration’s agenda. His stated priorities include supporting American workers, families, unions, and employers.
Before receiving the permanent nomination, Sonderling attracted national attention through his oversight of unemployment insurance programs. Earlier this month, he sent letters to officials in 53 states and U.S. territories. Those letters requested stronger action against waste, fraud, and abuse within unemployment insurance systems.
In the correspondence, Sonderling warned that the Department of Labor could withhold administrative funding from jurisdictions that failed to address identified problems. He said the department would use every available authority to protect taxpayer funds. The effort also aims to strengthen oversight of unemployment insurance programs.
During a television interview, Sonderling discussed the letters and their purpose. He claimed that Democrat-led states, including California, New York, and Illinois, recorded the highest levels of unemployment insurance fraud. However, he did not present evidence supporting those specific claims during the interview. He also said the department could suspend administrative funding if fraud concerns remained unresolved. Such action could prevent states from continuing to administer unemployment insurance programs.
Leadership changes within the Labor Department preceded the nomination. Lori Chavez-DeRemer stepped down in April after misconduct allegations prompted an internal investigation. Investigators examined claims that she maintained a personal relationship with a member of her security team. Additional allegations claimed she directed staff to purchase liquor and classified personal travel as official business.
Separate allegations also involved her husband, Shawn DeRemer. Those claims accused him of sexually assaulting two female staff members. Together, the allegations increased scrutiny of the department’s leadership before Chavez-DeRemer’s departure.
Sonderling brings extensive federal government experience to the position. Earlier in his career, he served as a commissioner at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He later became deputy labor secretary and accepted several additional acting leadership appointments.
During 2025, Sonderling served as acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. He also served as acting under secretary of commerce for minority business development.
The Keith Sonderling Nomination now moves to the Senate for confirmation. Lawmakers will determine whether to approve him as labor secretary. If confirmed, he will officially lead the department after serving several months in the acting role.
The Keith Sonderling Nomination marks the administration’s latest senior personnel decision. The confirmation process will determine whether Sonderling permanently oversees federal workplace, employment, and labor policies.
