Keith Sonderling Takes Ceremonial Oath as 31st US Labor Secretary -- Occupational Health & Safety

Official portrait of Keith Sonderling, U.S. Secretary of Labor, in a suit and blue tie in front of the U.S. Department of Labor seal and American flag.

Keith Sonderling Takes Ceremonial Oath as 31st US Labor Secretary

He had run the department as acting secretary since April and served as deputy secretary before that.

By Danielle Naidu
Oct 12, 2026

Keith Sonderling took the ceremonial oath Oct. 9 as the 31st U.S. secretary of labor. He heads the department that includes OSHA.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent administered the oath in the Oval Office. Sonderling was officially sworn in Oct. 2, the department said, after the Senate confirmed him Sept. 30.

His earlier roles include commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 2020 to 2024 and acting administrator of the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division.

About the Author

Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.

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