Announced one day after the attack on the U.S. Capitol by insurrectionists, one of the President’s cabinet members is resigning.
Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, tendered her resignation to be effective no later than January 11, 2021.
She says she is “deeply troubled” by the “traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed.”
She goes on to say she “will help my announced successor Mayor Pete Buttigieg, with taking on the responsibility of running this wonderful department.”
Chao’s resignation is the first cabinet member, but not first staffer of the President, to resign following the events at the U.S. Capitol that took place on January 6, 2021.
Updated (2:06pm EST, 1/7/2021): Updated for clarity.
