Trump nominates acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to be agency's permanent chief

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he will nominate Keith Sonderling to be the secretary of labor, elevating him from the agency's acting director two months after Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned amid abuse-of-power allegations.

Sonderling, a lawyer who has held a variety of acting positions and leadership roles across Trump's government, was previously the deputy labor secretary and a Republican member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“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,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing Sonderling's nomination.

Sonderling's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

During Trump's second term, in addition to his Labor Department post, Sonderling has been the acting director of U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, one of several agencies Trump targeted for closure in an executive order last year.

At the library agency, Sonderling placed many agency staff members on administrative leave, sent termination notices to most of them, began canceling grants and contracts and fired all members of the National Museum and Library Services Board. Those actions were later blocked by a judge, and the case remains on appeal.

Chavez-DeRemer resigned in April following reports that she was under a series of investigations.

A New York Times report revealed that the Labor Department’s inspector general was reviewing material showing Chavez-DeRemer and her top aides and family members routinely sent personal messages and requests to young staff members.

She also faced allegations that she drank alcohol on the job and that she tasked aides to plan official trips for primarily personal reasons.

Chavez De-Remer has denied wrongdoing.

Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling walks onto stage to speak ahead of President Donald Trump during a visit to the Lehigh Valley operations facility for Mack Trucks in Macungie, Pa., Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

CHICAGO (AP) — The banged-up Chicago Cubs placed utilityman Matt Shaw and right-hander Ethan Roberts on the injured list on Monday.

Shaw has a sprained left hand and Roberts is out because of elbow inflammation. Outfielder Kevin Alcántara and right-hander Gavin Hollowell were recalled from Triple-A Iowa before the opener of a three-game series against San Diego.

The 24-year-old Shaw was on the IL from May 20 to June 9 because of mid-back tightness. He hit .257 with two homers and eight RBIs in 14 games after he was activated from the IL.

“I think there’s a world where he’s swinging a bat by the weekend,” manager Craig Counsell said. “I think as soon as we get the inflammation out, we think we can move forward pretty quickly, so there’s a chance that one’s a minimum (stint).”

Shaw had been serving as Chicago's primary right fielder since Seiya Suzuki hurt his right knee on June 13. Counsell said veteran Michael Conforto will get more regular time in right with Shaw out.

The 28-year-old Roberts is the 13th Cubs pitcher on the IL. He has a 4.21 ERA in a career-high 23 appearances out of the bullpen. He pitched in 11 games in June.

“Ethan’s been one of the guys that has pitched a lot,” Counsell said. “I don’t think we have anything serious here, but it’s just, we got to give him a break, basically.”

Counsell said closer Daniel Palencia could begin throwing this week. The right-hander was placed on the IL on June 16 with elbow inflammation.

Starter Jameson Taillon is scheduled to throw live batting practice against Chicago hitters on Tuesday. The veteran right-hander strained his left hamstring in the second inning of a 2-1 loss to San Francisco on June 7.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago Cubs' Matt Shaw yells after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)