‘Deeply troubled’ Transportation Secretary Chao resigns following D.C. violence
Written by RT&S Staff
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has resigned.
Calling the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 “traumatic and entirely avoidable,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced she is resigning effective Monday.
On her Twitter page, Chao said it was an honor of a lifetime to serve the U.S. DOT. However, in a letter sent to colleagues at the agency Chao said she was deeply troubled over the events that took place in Washington, D.C.
“Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed,” Chao said in the letter. “As I’m sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside.
“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 [at the U.S. DOT] have for this Department and the United States of America. I am hopeful that many of you will carry forward our vision to improve the lives of Americans through this Department and beyond.”
Chao is currently the highest-ranking member of President Trump’s administration to resign following the violence in Washington, D.C., that killed four people.
Read more articles on passenger rail.
