Donald J.Trump nominates Keith Sonderling as permanent Secretary of Labor
Sonderling has served as acting secretary, deputy secretary, and chief operating officer at the Department of Labor across two Trump terms.
Sonderling has served as acting secretary, deputy secretary, and chief operating officer at the Department of Labor across two Trump terms.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald J.Trump announced he will nominate Keith E. Sonderling to serve as the permanent United States Secretary of Labor on a Truth Social post on June 29, 2026 at 5:51 PM EST.
Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “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. 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. 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Donald J.Trump”
Sonderling has held multiple senior roles at the Department of Labor. He served as acting secretary and deputy secretary during the current administration and led the Wage and Hour Division as acting and deputy administrator during Trump’s first term.
The nomination elevates a longtime labor official who has operated at the center of federal workplace enforcement. Sonderling will need Senate confirmation before he can hold the post on a permanent basis, a process that could draw scrutiny to the administration’s labor priorities.
Trump framed the pick as a reward for proven results. The president wrote that Sonderling “has proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country” and expressed confidence he “will do an incredible job in his new role.”
The announcement adds to a sustained focus on domestic governance. Zenger analysis of Trump’s Truth Social activity shows 39 of 564 posts in the last 30 days addressed domestic policy topics.
Sonderling’s confirmation fight will test whether the Senate endorses the administration’s direction on wage enforcement, worker protections, and broader labor market regulation. The Department of Labor oversees workplace safety rules, minimum wage standards, and unemployment insurance programs that affect tens of millions of American workers.
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on June 29, 2026 at 6:04 PM EST
Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on June 29, 2026 at 6:04 PM EST