This piece explains President Donald Trump’s nomination of Keith Sonderling for Secretary of Labor, contrasts Sonderling’s record with his predecessor, highlights his work on independent contractor rules, unemployment insurance fraud, apprenticeships, and antisemitism in the workplace, and documents the praise his nomination has received from lawmakers, business groups, and agricultural employers.
President Trump announced Keith Sonderling’s nomination on Truth Social, elevating a career official with a clear pro-worker, pro-business record. Sonderling previously served as Deputy Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division and as Acting Secretary of Labor, and the nomination signals a return to policies that protect independent contracting and expand private-sector opportunities. This move follows the resignation of the prior secretary amid investigations, and it places someone in the role who understands the administration’s priorities.
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! President DONALD J. TRUMP
The prior secretary left under a cloud of controversy, and many conservatives saw that as a policy and leadership failure. Keith Sonderling’s nomination looks and sounds different: he emphasizes outcomes for American workers, the freedom of independent contractors, and reducing government overreach. His background includes drafting and defending rules that enable people to work as freelancers, gig workers, and entrepreneurs without unnecessary regulatory interference.
During the Trump administration’s earlier term, Sonderling helped craft the 2020 Independent Contractor rule designed to protect contractor status and flexibility. The Biden administration rescinded that rule, but after 2024 Trump’s team moved to halt enforcement of the newer rule and replace it with a 2026 Independent Contractor rule that restores protections while updating elements related to FLSA, FMLA, and MSPA. Those efforts reflect a broader Republican approach favoring market freedom and worker choice over blanket union mandates.
As Acting Secretary, Sonderling has prioritized apprenticeships and private-sector pathways into skilled work, focusing on small businesses and nonunion approaches that broaden opportunities. He has also backed pension protections through group annuities and shown openness to modern retirement options, including private credit and digital assets in retirement plans. These are practical, employer-friendly policies designed to strengthen employer-sponsored retirement and expand options for workers.
Among his highest-profile efforts is a push against unemployment insurance fraud, a drain on taxpayer funds and state budgets. Sonderling’s office sent letters to 53 states and territories urging stronger action against waste, fraud, and abuse, and warned jurisdictions that failed to act could face withholding of administrative funding. Those moves drew attention across the country and emphasized enforcement and accountability within unemployment systems.
Before receiving the permanent nomination, Sonderling attracted national attention through his oversight of unemployment insurance programs. Earlier this month, he sent letters to officials in 53 states and U.S. territories. Those letters requested stronger action against waste, fraud, and abuse within unemployment insurance systems.
In the correspondence, Sonderling warned that the Department of Labor could withhold administrative funding from jurisdictions that failed to address identified problems. He said the department would use every available authority to protect taxpayer funds. The effort also aims to strengthen oversight of unemployment insurance programs.
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Sonderling has also been vocal about combating antisemitism in the workplace and has supported policies to protect religious and civil rights on the job. That stance has broadened his appeal beyond strict labor policy circles to civil rights and community groups concerned about safe, respectful work environments. It also contrasts with the prior administration’s staffing and policy choices in the department.
Lawmakers and stakeholders have offered strong endorsements for his nomination, with some Republican senators praising his leadership and urging a quick confirmation process. Cassidy :
Congratulations to Keith Sonderling on his nomination to be Secretary of Labor. I enjoy working with him, and I appreciate his thoughtful leadership at @USDOL. He is the kind of pro-worker leader that Americans deserve. I look forward to hearing from him before the HELP Committee.
Members of the House and business leaders have echoed that praise, framing Sonderling as a practical champion for workers across sectors, including agriculture and small business. Mary Miller and others highlighted his worker-first record, and employer groups called his selection an outstanding choice that prioritizes free markets and equal application of the law. Those endorsements show support from both elected officials and trade organizations.
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Agricultural employers and specialized councils welcomed Sonderling’s stewardship on interim rules and implementation, noting his engagement with industry concerns. NCAE’s thread praised his work and offered to support bipartisan Senate approval.
At every step in his career, Acting Secretary Sonderling has demonstrated that he is not only a friend to the American farmer, but that he is also a champion for our agricultural economy. From helping to spearhead the development of the Interim Final Rule Secretary, to his stewardship of the rule’s implementation, NCAE members have always been confident that we had an ally in Acting Secretary Sonderling.
We are eager to support Acting Secretary Sonderling’s nomination, and to work with the Trump Administration to secure the broad bipartisan support in the Senate that his nomination merits.
Sonderling replied to the nomination with gratitude and a pledge to continue serving if confirmed.
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.
His earlier Senate confirmation to a deputy role was along party lines, and this nomination will test unity in the Senate given intra-party tensions and predictable Democratic opposition. Republicans who back the administration will argue that Sonderling’s record of enforcing accountability, expanding opportunity, and defending worker freedom makes him the right pick to lead the Department of Labor.
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