Trump nominates acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to be agency’s permanent chief
Jun 29, 2026, 4:46 PM
Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling walks onto stage to speak ahead of President Donald Trump during a visit to the Lehigh Valley operations facility for Mack Trucks in Macungie, Pa., Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday 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 amid abuse-of-power allegations.
Sonderling, a lawyer who has held a variety of acting positions and leadership roles across Trump’s government, was previously the deputy labor secretary and a Republican member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“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,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing Sonderling’s nomination.
Sonderling’s nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April following reports that she was under a series of investigations.
A New York Times report revealed that the Labor Department’s inspector general was reviewing material showing Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides and family members routinely sent personal messages and requests to young staff members.
She also faced allegations that she drank alcohol on the job and that she tasked aides to plan official trips for primarily personal reasons.
Chavez De-Remer has denied wrongdoing.
