Citing Capitol riot, Transportation Secretary Chao submits resignation

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao today announced that she would be resigning from her position, with her final day coming on Jan. 11.

In a letter to her colleagues at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) posted to Twitter, Chao wrote, “Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed. 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.”

Chao is one of the Trump Administration’s longest serving cabinet members, having served since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s term.

President-elect Joe Biden has nominated former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg to serve in the role and Chao noted that the department will continue to help with that transition through Inauguration Day later this month.