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.
Will they hold the 25th amendment vote before she leaves?
Well, give the lady a little credit — she lasted far longer than the rest of Trump’s cabinet appointees. However her stated reason for resigning was because she was “troubled” by the riot at the Capitol. Funny — if Secretary Chao objected to yesterday’s events that deeply, you would think she would stay and work the Cabinet to invoke the 25th amendment and get rid of the perpetrator behind the sickening spectacle — and not abdicate the seat that allows her to do so. But hey — she’s Mitch McConnell’s wife after all and Washington is still an insider’s game (i.e., swamp), so is there really any surprise here?
Golly, she just noticed that trump is unhinged.
Not specific to her (because it seems like there are a lot of resignations being given here), but I don’t understand what is achieved by leaving a position just weeks before the job would have been over/lost anyway.
My thoughts exactly. All of the cabinet members will be leaving their jobs in less than two weeks anyway, so going out a little early is just their way to make themselves look a little less tainted by serving in the Disrupter in Chief’s den of thieves. If they really wanted to make a statement, they should stay and pursue a 25th Amendment proceeding. No Profiles in Courage here.
These folks are resigning so they will not be required to vote on the 25th. They would suffer the wrath of Trump supporters in any subsequent elections. it’s a self-preservation tactic.
Since it’s clear that none of the above posters actually has READ the 25th Amendment, I offer it herein:
*****
Presidential Disability and Succession
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965
Ratified February 10, 1967
Section 1
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
Section 2
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
Section 3
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
Section 4
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is UNABLE to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
*****
Please note that Section 4 refers to a circumstance in which the President is UNABLE to discharge the duties of the office. It does NOT provide a mechanism for removing a President whose discharge offends anyone. Ours is NOT a Parliamentary form of government.
Even though many in congress are calling for another impeachment process including Pelosi, I noticed that she will not introduce articles until Monday. Some emergency, as long as it does not ruin their/her weekend. Sorry for the thread drift.
Democrat definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors:” ketchup on steak and two scoops of ice cream.
So trying to bribe the leader of another government to interfere in our election is “ketchup on steaK and two scoops of ice cream”? Inciting a riot with the intent of throwing an election that ends up desecrating the capitol and killing one capitol policeman among other atrocities is “ketchup on steak and two scoops of ice cream”? Please, no changing the subject and no scapegoating with false accusations and sophomoric attempts at wit just now.
By the time that the charges are brought in the House–debated, and passed on a partisan basis, Trump will be out of office anyway.
Pelosi’s partisan political pleading and posturing serves no purpose other than an additional partisan divide–all the while, the politicos shed crocodile tears of “inclusiveness.” She is only looking to add another “scalp” to her wall–not make things better for the country. Let’s get back to “non-career” representation–using term limits.
Evil, vile person!
Congressional term limits will require a Constitutional Convention.
Bring it on!
‘Some emergency, as long as it does not ruin their/her weekend. Sorry for the thread drift.’
Well, I wouldn’t want to ruin anyone’s weekend. But the blood, drugs, excrement, glass, and yes, semen that has to be cleaned up off desks, hallways and furniture might need some time and space to accomplish, not to mention evidence collection, so I’ll cut her some slack – if she can even have a nice weekend, considering.
With 5 dead in a violent, perverse assault on our democracy by deluded, gullible, deceived cultists and all that implies does seem to command more attention than the ambitions of an 80 year old woman of a different political view.
But here’s a news flash – whether seen as an emergency or not – the vain, deluded, depraved and amoral embodiment of human weakness and failure is finished, done – along with his sickening family and corrupt cronies.
So raise your glasses and clink a new beginning for our beloved country, for something wicked this way goes!
Pelosi’s Democrats approved a House rule change that allowed for remote voting.