President Donald Trump nominated Keith E. Sonderling to serve as the permanent U.S. Secretary of Labor on Monday, June 29, 2026 [1].
The appointment aims to restore stability to a department that has faced significant turmoil over the last several months. Sonderling, who was already serving as the acting secretary, now requires Senate confirmation to secure the position permanently.
Trump announced the decision via Truth Social, saying, "It is my Great Honor to announce that I am nominating Keith E. Sonderling, the outstanding Acting United States Secretary of Labor" [2]. In a separate post, the president said, "I will nominate Keith Sonderling to be the Secretary of Labor" [3].
The nomination follows a period of leadership instability within the agency. The position became vacant approximately two months ago [4] when Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from the post. That resignation occurred amid allegations of abuse of power [5].
Sonderling has managed the department's daily operations since the vacancy occurred. By nominating the current acting head, the administration seeks to move past the controversies that defined the previous tenure. The transition is intended to provide a consistent hand at the helm of the agency responsible for federal labor laws, and workforce regulations.
Senate committees will now review Sonderling's record and qualifications before a final vote is held. The nomination process will determine if the administration can successfully close the leadership gap that has persisted since April 2026 [4].
“"It is my Great Honor to announce that I am nominating Keith E. Sonderling"”
The nomination of an acting official to a permanent role typically signals a desire for continuity and a reduction of risk during the Senate confirmation process. By selecting Sonderling, the administration is betting on a known quantity to stabilize the Department of Labor after the disruptive exit of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, aiming to shift the public focus from internal misconduct allegations to departmental governance.
