Overview
- President Trump announced the nomination of acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling on Monday, sending the pick to the Senate for confirmation.
- Sonderling has led the Labor Department on an acting basis since April, when Lori Chavez‑DeRemer resigned as the inspector‑general opened a review into allegations about her conduct.
- As acting secretary, Sonderling proposed fiduciary rules that treat digital assets like crypto neutrally for 401(k) plans and rescinded prior Biden‑era guidance that discouraged offering crypto in retirement accounts.
- Senators are likely to focus hearings on both Sonderling’s policy changes for retirement accounts and the circumstances of Chavez‑DeRemer’s departure, which included allegations of personal requests to staff and drinking on the job.
- Sonderling is a longtime federal official who was confirmed as deputy last year in a 53–46 Senate vote and has held roles at the EEOC and Wage and Hour Division, and a confirmed appointment would make his regulatory shifts harder to reverse.