U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao released a statement this afternoon saying that, effective Monday, Jan. 11, she will be resigning from her post.
Secretary Chao indicated her reason for her resignation was due to the events that unfolded yesterday in D.C., where supporters of President Trump stormed the nation's Capitol during the vote to certify the results of the November election. She released her statement, which was addressed to her colleagues at the U.S. DOT, via Twitter.
“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 statement. "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 said she was proud of the many accomplishments of her department, saying she hopes her colleagues will "carry forward our vision to improve the lives of Americans through this Department and beyond."
Chao also indicated she will continue to help the transition of the department to be led by Pete Buttigieg, who has been named to lead the U.S. DOT by President-elect Biden as Chao's successor in the role of Transportation Secretary.
