{"id":2612246,"date":"2026-06-09T05:13:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T09:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sonderling-acting-his-way-into-permanent-role-atop-labor-department\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T05:17:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T09:17:16","slug":"sonderling-acting-his-way-into-permanent-role-atop-labor-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sonderling-acting-his-way-into-permanent-role-atop-labor-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Sonderling acting his way into permanent role atop Labor Department"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsonderling-acting-his-way-into-permanent-role-atop-labor-department%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2612246&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Keith Sonderling,the acting U.S. labor Secretary and Senate-confirmed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-cuomo-aide-makes-shocking-sexual-harassment-allegation\/\" title=\"Ex-Cuomo Aide Makes Shocking Sexual Harassment Allegation\">deputy secretary<\/a>, appears positioned to become the department\u2019s permanent leader.Promoted in April after the firing of his boss,lori Chavez-DeRemer,Sonderling has been able to continue in an acting role-partly aided by the prior availability of acting leadership during her initial \u201cindefinite\u201d period after Julie Su\u2019s withdrawal of support for a permanent appointment.<\/p>\n<p>support for keeping Sonderling at the helm is reported from the White House and some labor officials and unions, who say he has organized leadership and kept the department functioning effectively. At least one union official indicated thay are cozy with the current approach as long as the management continues to emphasize U.S. manufacturing and policy efforts such as the Faster Labor Contracts Act.<\/p>\n<p>The article also details the turmoil that led to Chavez-deremer\u2019s departure, including an Inspector General inquiry into allegations of improper personal travel supported by staff, staff firings and leaves, and additional claims involving misconduct by her husband. Despite unions initially welcoming Chavez-DeRemer after her labor-rights record in Congress, her tenure ended amid multiple allegations.<\/p>\n<p>Sonderling\u2019s background is described as more traditionally conservative and business-oriented, with expectations that he will focus on issues like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency in employment, support for independent contractors and gig workers, and promotion of self-audit compliance approaches.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling appears to be on a glide path to lead his department permanently.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sonderling was promoted to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-labor\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1465\">Department of Labor<\/a>\u2018s deputy secretary in April after the dismissal of his former boss, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lori-chavez-deremer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11689\">Lori Chavez-DeRemer<\/a>, amid scandals embroiling her and her husband, Shawn.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4598655\/gas-prices-drop-16-cents-per-gallon-in-one-week-to-4-16\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gas prices: Drop 16 cents per gallon in one week to $4.16<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4596386\/gas-prices-drop-17-cents-per-gallon-in-one-week\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gas prices: Drop 17 cents per gallon in one week as decreases at the pumps continue<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4590644\/gas-prices-decreases-continue-falling-20-cents-in-one-week\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gas prices: Decreases continue, falling 20 cents in one week to $4.29 per gallon<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a Senate-confirmed deputy secretary, it is widely understood Sonderling can continue in an acting capacity, in part because of former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"471\">Joe Biden<\/a>\u2018s indefinite nomination of then-Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su after it became evident she did not have enough support among Democrats for the permanent position.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sonderling also appears to have support from the White House.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cKeith Sonderling is doing a great job serving as the acting Labor Secretary,\u201d one Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8767\">White House <\/a>official told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cAny announcement will be made by the president in due time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That news was unexpectedly welcomed by at least one labor union, particularly considering Sonderling\u2019s pro-business policy record.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ve had some meetings with Sonderling,\u201d one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/s-korean-shipyard-workers-reach-tentative-deal-to-end-strike\/\" title=\"S.Korean shipyard workers reach tentative deal to end strike\">union official told<\/a> the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> on the condition of anonymity. \u201cHe\u2019s a smart person.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The source added: \u201cAs things stand right now, the way they are right now, we are good with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the official underscored how the \u201cspotlight\u201d Trump has shone on the importance of manufacturing and production in the United States is \u201csomething that we would want to see that continue,\u201d including through the passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI mean, I don\u2019t have a crystal ball, but I would say that we feel like we\u2019re heard by the administration,\u201d the source said. \u201cWe\u2019re just continuing to advocate on behalf of our members.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Trump administration official source told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that if he were \u201ca betting man,\u201d he would \u201cbet on Keith\u201d being the permanent secretary because Sonderling is \u201crespected by the administration,\u201d despite not having the charisma of some of the president\u2019s other picks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe president will eventually nominate him to be the secretary,\u201d the source said. \u201cThe morale and the feeling in the building and throughout the agency was in trouble, and since Keith has taken the helm, things are organized. People are happy to be at work again, and the actual work of the department is being done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Labor Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>\u2018s request for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sonderling, who was also in the running to be the original secretary responsible for the Trump administration\u2019s policies regarding workers\u2019 wages, safety, health, and benefits, had an outsize leadership role at the department during Chavez-DeRemer\u2019s reported absences as she traveled for business and pleasure amid allegations that she had created a toxic workplace. She left the department on April 20.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Labor Department\u2019s Office of Inspector General, in fact, investigated a complaint made in December that Chavez-DeRemer\u2019s former chief of staff Jihun Han and his deputy, Rebecca Wright, made up official trips for the secretary to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >facilitate government-funded personal travel<\/a>. A month later, Han and Wright were placed on administrative leave before being fired in March. That month, Chavez-DeRemer\u2019s director of advance, Melissa Robey, was put on leave before being dismissed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same complaint also accused Chavez-DeRemer of being under the influence of alcohol while at work and having an extramarital affair with a member of her <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/secret-service\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1478\">U.S. Secret Service <\/a>detail, Brian Sloan. Sloan was placed on leave in January before resigning in March.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simultaneously, the Metropolitan Police Department received complaints from two women alleging sexual misconduct by Chavez-DeRemer\u2019s husband, resulting in Shawn DeRemer being prohibited from the Labor Department\u2019s headquarters since February. DeRemer has denied any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chavez-DeRemer\u2019s nomination shortly after Trump\u2019s reelection win in November 2024 was welcomed by unions, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/teamsters\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4607\">International Brotherhood of Teamsters<\/a> President Sean O\u2019Brien, who declined to endorse former Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"748\">Kamala Harris<\/a> during the campaign and recommended Chavez-DeRemer to the president-elect for the post.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chavez-DeRemer had been embraced by unions as a member of Congress for her July 2024 cosponsorship of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would have expanded worker rights to organize and\u00a0collectively bargain\u00a0in the workplace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sonderling, who was acting administrator of the first Trump Labor Department\u2019s Wage and Hour Division, has a more traditionally conservative labor and deregulation record dating back to his time as a labor and employment attorney in Florida, with business groups lobbying the president to make him Chavez-DeRemer\u2019s No. 2 to balance her own record.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4596773\/graham-platner-rise-mamdani-moraff-katz-fan\/\"><strong>FROM A MAMDANI GURU TO A CARD-CARRYING DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST, HERE\u2019S WHO\u2019S HELPING PLATNER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to returning to the Labor Department, he was a\u00a0member of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is anticipated to prioritize addressing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/artificial-intelligence\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1658\">artificial intelligence<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cryptocurrency\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1699\">cryptocurrency<\/a> in the workplace, supporting independent contractors and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/uber-faces-lawsuit-from-more-than-500-women-claiming-drivers-kidnapped-raped-or-otherwise-assaulted-them\/\" title=\"Uber Faces Lawsuit From More Than 500 Women Claiming Drivers Kidnapped, Raped, Or Otherwise Assaulted Them\">gig economy workers<\/a>, and encouraging the use of self-audit compliance programs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling looks poised to lead permanently. He became deputy secretary in April after Lori Chavez-DeRemer was dismissed amid scandals involving her and her husband, Shawn<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2612247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25058590832389.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6481,14890,77527,5894,6334],"class_list":["post-2612246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-acting","tag-entertainment","tag-labor-department-2","tag-politics","tag-theater"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25058590832389.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612246"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612250,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612246\/revisions\/2612250"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}