DOT Secretary Chao resigns, cites attack on Capitol

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Updated Jan 10, 2021

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao today announced her resignation from President Donald Trump’s cabinet, citing the “traumatic and entirely avoidable” events that occurred Wednesday, Jan. 6 as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building while presidential election results were being certified.

Her resignation is effective Monday, Jan. 11.

Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who also decried the violent attack that occurred following a rally of Trump supporters, which the president addressed.

In a Tweet today Chao said she will help President-elect Joe Biden’s Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg take over “running this wonderful department.”

Chao is the highest-ranking member of the Trump administration to resign in the wake of Wednesday’s attack.

Four people died in Wednesday’s events. Three are said to have died from medical causes and one, a woman from California, was shot by a Capitol Police officer.