DOT Secretary Elaine Chao Resigns

In a tweet this morning, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that she is resigning her post ahead of the upcoming presidential transition. “It has been the honor of a lifetime…

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao arrives at a naturalization ceremony for 16 new Americans at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

In a tweet this morning, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that she is resigning her post ahead of the upcoming presidential transition. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the U.S. Department of Transportation," she said, noting that she was "deeply troubled" by the mayhem that took place at the Capitol building on Tuesday. Her resignation will take effect on Monday, Jan. 11.

"I am tremendously proud of the many accomplishments we were able to achieve together for our country and I will never forget the commitment you have for this Department and the United States of America," her statement continued.

Chao, wife of Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, was to be succeeded by former presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg after the inauguration on Jan. 20.

Marc CookEditor
KITPLANES Editor in Chief Marc Cook has been in aviation journalism for more than 30 years. He is a 4000-hour instrument-rated, multi-engine pilot with experience in nearly 150 types. He’s completed two kit aircraft, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Sportsman 2+2, and currently flies a 2002 GlaStar.