Trump’s Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao resigns after Capitol riot Chao says Jan. 6 events have left her ‘deeply troubled’
President Donald Trump listens as Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao speaks during an event celebrating American truckers, at the White House, Thursday, April 16, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is resigning from her position within the Trump administration, saying the events of Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol have left her “deeply troubled.”
Chao issued a resignation statement on Thursday:
“As I am sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside,” reads the statement from Chao.
Chao assumed her position as U.S. Secretary of Transportation on Jan. 31, 2017, right at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s term.
Her resignation comes hours after Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called on Trump’s Cabinet members to invoke the 25h Amendment and have him removed from office.
Chao is the first Cabinet member to resign in the wake of Wednesday’s violence.
Chao is married to Sen. Mitch McConnell, who refused to play along with Trump’s effort to overthrow the election results in the final weeks.
Related: Biden taps Buttigieg for transportation
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