Trump Nominates Keith Sonderling as Permanent Labor Secretary

On Monday, President Donald Trump declared that he will nominate Keith Sonderling, currently serving as Acting Secretary of Labor, to hold the position on a permanent basis, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Trump stated in a social media post, "Keith has demonstrated throughout his career a dedication to delivering strong results for the hardworking people of our country, and I know he will do a great job in his new role."

Sonderling is an American attorney affiliated with the Republican Party, holding a Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University. He began his professional career in 2008, focusing on labor law and commercial litigation at a law firm in Florida before gradually transitioning into government service.

During Trump's first administration, Sonderling became prominent in federal labor work, occupying multiple positions within the Department of Labor. His roles included serving as Senior Counsel in the Wage and Hour Division, then as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the division from 2017 to 2020.

Throughout this period, he contributed to the development of regulatory programs and labor market policies. He was also a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, later serving as its Vice Chair until 2021, completing his term in 2024.

Sonderling's advancement within U.S. administration institutions continued as he was appointed Deputy Secretary of Labor in 2025, taking on additional responsibilities in other government agencies with delegated authority.

In April 2026, he assumed the role of Acting Secretary of Labor following the resignation of the previous secretary.