Donald Trump announced he is nominating Keith Sonderling to serve as US secretary of labor, a role he is currently filling as acting secretary after Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced her departure in April.
“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 wrote 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.”
Trump added: “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 thanked Trump in his own social media post: “I am deeply grateful to President Trump for his trust and confidence. Serving in both of President Trump’s Administrations has been the greatest honor of my life. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to continuing that service as Secretary of Labor and advancing the President’s agenda on behalf of America’s workers, families, unions, and job creators.”
Sonderling made waves recently when he sent letters to 53 states and union territories demanding they take action to “combat waste, fraud, and abuse” within the unemployment insurance program and threatened to withhold administrative funds for the first time in history.
“We are officially putting governors on notice,” Sonderling said on 17 June. “The American people will no longer tolerate the blatant waste, fraud, and abuse of their hard-earned tax dollars – no state should allow it either. If states allow it, they will suffer the consequences. This department is no longer afraid to use every lever available to ensure taxpayer money is protected.”
Sonderling appeared on Fox News to discuss the letters and claimed Democrat-led states – he singled out California, New York and Illinois – had the highest instances of fraud, but provided no evidence of the alleged fraud in unemployment systems.
“I will essentially cut off the states’ administrative funds and then they won’t be able to administer this unemployment insurance due to the fraud,” he said.
In April, Chavez-DeRemer stepped down after a series of misconduct allegations, which prompted an internal investigation. The claims included having a sexual relationship with a member of her security team, sending her staff to pick up liquor and attempting to use business trips as excuses for personal travel.
Chavez-DeRemer’s husband, Shawn DeRemer, also faced a series of allegations, including having sexually assaulted two female staff members.
Sonderling served at the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and was later tapped by Trump to serve as deputy labor secretary. He also served as acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and acting under secretary of commerce for minority business development in 2025.
Michael Sainato contributed reporting
