Trump’s new labor nom headed to Senate

President Trump’s nominee to helm HR’s (sometimes) favorite federal agency is headed to the Senate.

Trump late last month signalled continuity for his labor department, nominating his acting labor secretary and the agency’s former deputy, Keith Sonderling, to replace ousted DOL head Lori Chavez DeRemer, who resigned earlier this year.

“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 posted to Truth Social on June 29. “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.”

HR Brew previously reported Chavez-DeRemer left her post on April 20 amid multiple misconduct allegations, including sordid claims she’s been romantically involved with a subordinate, drank on the job, planned business travel around personal vacations, asked employees to run her errands, and oversaw along with top aides a hostile workplace. Her husband, Shawn DeRemer, had been accused of assaulting and harassing multiple female employees and was banned from the Francis Perkins Building. Federal officials investigated but did not charge DeRemer with a crime.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this historic administration and work for the greatest president of my lifetime,” Chavez-DeRemer wrote on X of her resignation in April. “At the department of labor, I am proud that we made significant progress in advancing President Trump’s mission to bridge the gap between business and labor and always put the American worker first.”

But now Sonderling is a steady, repeat customer for Trump. He served in Trump’s administration during his first term, leading the Wage and Hour Division and later serving as a commissioner for the EEOC.

The former deputy had been seen as the operational director of the agency, especially when Senate-confirmed Chavez-DeRemer was—allegedly—out partying with her body guard or in a resort pool with friends…whoops, we meant embarking on a 50-state listening tour. Back at the office, Sonderling’s focus has been on loosening the stricter guidelines of Biden-era regulators and creating DOL guidance that reduces burdens on employers, and developing training and development programs for workers.

“He obviously comes from the employer side of many issues, but Keith has an ability to get things accomplished in a manner that brings diverse viewpoints together as opposed to taking them further apart,” Roger King, senior labor and employment counsel at the CHRO Association, told the Washington Post. “He knows how to reach a middle ground without offending [anyone].”

Under his leadership, HR teams might expect a continued effort from the DOL to prioritize employer compliance assistance over enforcement and designing new regulation, and continue workforce development and training efforts for American workers.

Sonderling is scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee on July 16.