Nearly one day after the Washington DC Pro-Trump riot, Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation under the Trump Administration, announced she’s resigning from her position on Thursday.
Ms. Chao joins several other Trump administration officials who have announced their resignations in the wake of the violence that occurred on the United States Capital Building Wednesday.
In a letter to her colleagues in the Department of Transportation, Ms Chao addressed the events that unfolded on Wednesday, stating that the DC riots were “dramatic” and “an unavoidable act.”
“Yesterday our nation experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable act as supporters of the president stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed, Ms. Chao said in her letter that was posted on Twitter. “As I am sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way I cannot set aside.”
Chao is currently the highest ranking member of the administration to announce their departure. Other Trump administration members resigning include:
- Stephanie Grisham, chief of staff to the first lady
- Sarah Matthews, deputy press secretary
- Rickie Niceta, White House social secretary
- Matthew Pottinger, deputy national security advisor
- Mick Mulvaney, special envoy to Northern Ireland
- John Costello, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for intelligence and security.
- Tyler Goodspeed, CEA Acting Chairman
The resignation comes with less than two weeks left in the Trump administration. All members would leave their positions on January 20 when President-Elect Biden is sworn in.
President-Elect Joe Biden previously announced that former South Bend, Indiana mayor and Presidential Candidate, Pete Buttigieg will take over Chao’s position.
Ms. Chao’s resignation will be effective Jan. 11.
