Trump Taps Keith Sonderling to Lead Labor Department Permanently
President Donald Trump said Monday on Truth Social he will nominate Keith Sonderling to be the Secretary of Labor, elevating him from the agency’s acting director two months after Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from the position amid abuse-of-power allegations.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that I am nominating Keith E. Sonderling, the outstanding Acting United States Secretary of Labor, to be permanent,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “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. 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.”
Sonderling’s nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. He was previously confirmed by the Senate on March 12, 2025, to be the 38th United States Deputy Secretary of Labor, and on April 20, 2026, was designated by President Donald J. Trump as the Acting Secretary of Labor following Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation.
As the Secretary of Labor, Sonderling is the highest-ranking official advising the President and enforcing federal laws to protect workers’ wages, safety, health, and benefits.
“President Trump picked the right person for the job. Keith Sonderling has shown he understands what it takes to support American workers, create jobs, and get government out of the way. Keith knows that when American workers and job creators succeed, our country succeeds,” said House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).
“His experience leading the Department of Labor and advancing President Trump’s America First agenda makes him the right person to expand opportunity for hardworking families, support job creators, and ensure workers—not Washington bureaucrats—come first,” Walberg added. “As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom, I look forward to working with Keith Sonderling to keep the American Dream within reach for the next 250.”
The Investment Company Institute (ICI) also released a statement today congratulating Sonderling on his nomination. “As Acting Labor Secretary, he has proven to be an effective leader on important policy initiatives including the DOL proposal to expand investment opportunities in retirement plans for American workers,” ICI President and CEO Eric J. Pan said. “We look forward to his swift confirmation by the Senate and to working closely with him to protect Americans’ retirement savings and improve opportunities for working- and middle-class investors.”
Sonderling background
During President Trump’s second term, in addition to being Acting Secretary of Labor, Sonderling concurrently served as Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development.
Prior to becoming Deputy Secretary, he was previously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from September 2020 until August 2024. He also served as the Commission’s Vice-Chair from 2020-2021.
Sonderling previously served at the US Department of Labor as the Acting and Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division from 2017-2020.
Before his government service, Sonderling was a partner at one of Florida’s oldest and largest law firms, Gunster. At Gunster, he counseled employers and litigated labor and employment disputes. Sonderling also served as a Professional Lecturer in the Law (Adjunct Professor) at George Washington University Law School, teaching employment law.
Sonderling received his B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Florida and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University.
Next chapter after stormy exit
Sonderling faces the task of stabilizing the Department of Labor after Chavez-DeRemer resigned over highly publicized misconduct investigations. Her exit as DOL Secretary came just slightly over a year after she was confirmed to the role. A former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, she was nominated to the post by President Trump in November 2024 after losing reelection in her district.
Chavez-DeRemer faced claims of committing travel fraud for planning “official trips” primarily for personal reasons and engaging in inappropriate acts, including drinking on the job. Two of her top aides were also dismissed following an investigation into misconduct at the DOL. Chavez-DeRemer has denied wrongdoing.
Sonderling’s other key challenges include navigating what could be a turbulent Senate confirmation, implementing deep budget cuts, and executing administration priorities like new joint-employment standards and federal contractor DEI bans.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been edited to include comments from ICI.
SEE ALSO:
• Chavez-DeRemer Resigns from Labor Secretary Post
• Senate Confirms Aronowitz to Lead EBSA
• House Appropriations Committee Advances 2027 Funding Cuts to EBSA
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.