Keith Sonderling sworn in as 31st U.S. Secretary of Labor

Keith Sonderling was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Labor during a ceremony administered by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the Oval Office Oct. 2.

Sonderling has led the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as Acting Secretary since April. He previously served as Deputy Secretary of Labor after confirmation by the U.S. Senate in March 2025.

“It is the honor of my life to serve as the 31st Secretary of Labor and continue my service to the Department under President Trump’s leadership,” Sonderling said. “My mission is to ensure that American workers have the skills and resources they need to seize the incredible job opportunities being created across the country.”

President Donald J. Trump announced Sonderling’s nomination June 29, and the Senate confirmed the nomination Sept. 30.

Upon announcing his nomination, Trump said, “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 builds on experience supporting U.S. workers

While serving as Deputy Secretary of Labor, Sonderling oversaw the department’s day-to-day operations, including strategic planning, budget formulation, financial management, information technology, and human resources.

From September 2020 to August 2024, Sonderling served as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, including as Vice Chair from 2020 to 2021. During his tenure, he became a leading global voice on super intelligence in the workplace, publishing extensively and speaking around the world on SI and the future of work. Following his service at the EEOC, Sonderling led President Trump’s Department of Labor transition team before returning to the Department in January 2025.

During President Trump’s first term, Sonderling served as Acting Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Senior Policy Advisor of the department’s Wage and Hour Division from 2017 to 2020.

In June 2026, President Trump designated Sonderling as Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, a position he continues to hold concurrently with his service at the Department of Labor. During President Trump’s second term, Sonderling has also served as Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development.

Before entering government service, Sonderling was a partner at Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest law firms, where he practiced labor and employment law.