President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Keith Sonderling, the acting head of the U.S. Department of Labor, to serve permanently as U.S. labor secretary and formally sent the pick to the Senate for confirmation. Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social, calling Sonderling “the outstanding Acting United States Secretary of Labor” and praising his record of service.
What Trump announced about Keith Sonderling
The White House filing to the Senate formally names Sonderling as the president’s choice to lead the Labor Department. In his Truth Social post, Trump said Sonderling had “proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country,” and that he would “do an incredible job in his new role.” The post accompanied the formal nomination paperwork sent to Capitol Hill.
The public filing begins the standard confirmation machinery in Congress: referral of the nomination to the Senate committee with jurisdiction and the scheduling of hearings. The administration framed the move as putting an experienced hand in charge of labor enforcement and workforce priorities.
Sonderling’s role and duties
If confirmed, Keith Sonderling would assume full responsibility for the Labor Department’s wide-ranging portfolio. The secretary enforces federal labor laws, oversees the Wage and Hour Division, and administers workforce and training programs that affect millions of workers and employers nationwide.
The secretary sets enforcement priorities for wage-and-hour compliance, coordinates with state unemployment insurance programs, weighs in on workplace safety policy, and plays a role in benefits and retirement oversight. Confirmation would place Sonderling at the center of implementing the administration’s employment agenda and directing regional offices and departmental agencies charged with on-the-ground enforcement.
Why the timing matters
The nomination follows the April departure of former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer after a whistleblower complaint alleged misconduct in her office. Chavez-DeRemer has denied the allegations. The Labor Department’s inspector general opened a review of the claims, and that inquiry remains ongoing.
Fox News reporting by Louis Casiano provided early coverage of the whistleblower complaint and the inspector general review that preceded the leadership change. The IG probe and the complaint’s timing help explain why the administration moved to formalize the leadership at Labor while that review continues.
Senate confirmation and what comes next
With the nomination submitted, the process moves to the Senate. Nominations for Labor secretaries are typically referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for hearings. Senators will question Sonderling about his record, priorities, and his views on enforcement and workforce policy.
Committee hearings are likely to touch on the inspector general’s review of Chavez-DeRemer’s office and any documents or testimony related to the whistleblower complaint. Senators may press for documents or witnesses connected to that inquiry; the IG probe could shape the tone and focus of hearings even if it does not directly determine the confirmation outcome.
After committee consideration, the nomination would proceed to the full Senate for debate and a confirmation vote. The pace can vary: a cooperative committee schedule and bipartisan support can speed the process, while substantive oversight questions or partisan disagreement can extend it. Observers will watch how quickly the HELP Committee schedules a hearing and whether Senators request additional materials tied to the IG review.
Quick background and context
Keith Sonderling has served as acting Labor secretary since April after Lori Chavez-DeRemer left the department. He previously worked in the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division and has served as deputy secretary and chief operating officer, positions noted in the nomination materials.
Chavez-DeRemer has publicly denied the allegations that prompted the whistleblower complaint. The inspector general’s review remains open, and reporting to date has drawn on department filings and reporting by multiple outlets, including Fox News.
Source attribution
This report is based on Fox News reporting. For the original coverage, see the Fox News story: Fox News — Trump taps acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling for permanent role pending Senate confirmation. Reporting and contributions by Louis Casiano are noted in the original Fox News coverage.
