The DOT Secretary is becoming a household name

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Typically, average Americans cannot name the secretary of transportation, nor can they describe the daily responsibilities of what was once considered a fairly-obscure cabinet post. It’s even difficult for transportation executives to identify past secretaries. Elaine Chao, for example, served 4 years under Donald Trump while Anthony Foxx was Barack Obama’s DOT secretary. Perhaps the most notable figure to occupy the office was Elizabeth Dole, wife of Senator Bob Dole, who served four years under Ronald Reagan.  

The ‘nameless’ secretary, however, changed when Pete Buttigieg ascended to the role in 2021 once President Joe Biden took office. Secretary Buttigieg was already well-known, having drawn the national spotlight for winning the Iowa Democratic Caucuses in 2020 and becoming the first openly-gay candidate to win a state presidential primary.

However, after a series of transportation crises, the secretary’s name has been emboldened by both his supporters and his critics.

Victories vs. Failures

Buttigieg’s perceived absence during the peak of west-coast port bottlenecks, his vacation as government and union negotiators worked to avert a nationwide rail strike, a lukewarm response to severe flight system disruptions that stranded millions of travelers and temporarily grounded U.S. flights, and a delayed vocal reaction to the recent train derailment in East Palenstine, Ohio that spilled toxic chemicals have Buttigieg’s critics pointing fingers.

While crises are challenging for any public official, Buttigieg’s position has faced a difficult and rather overwhelming storm of issues. Some have questioned his realization of the gravity of these situations. His tactic to defer to other agencies and be slow to react has cloaked those actions with the appearance of being “cold” and overly bureaucratic to a large part of the United States voting populace.

Conversely, Buttigieg did help shape the Biden Administration's infrastructure proposal, which included a $2.3 trillion investment in transportation, water, and broadband infrastructure over the next decade. Buttigieg has also made addressing climate change a priority at the DOT. He has advocated for investments in sustainable transportation, such as electric vehicles, and has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

Ohio train derailment serves as political ammunition

Buttigieg’s opposition has highlighted the DOT secretary’s slow public reaction to the East Palestine train derailment. Ohio residents in the region complained of contaminated air and water that triggered illnesses in friends and family, as well as pets and surrounding wildlife. These individuals repeatedly called for Buttigieg to visit, including the mayor of East Palestine. Former President Trump seized the opportunity and recently toured the area and met with local officials. 

Some have speculated that Trump’s actions may have motivated the Department of Transportation to step in. The day after Trump’s tour of East Palestine, DOT announced plans for the secretary to visit.

Remember: Republicans now control the House majority

For the first two years of Buttigieg’s tenure, Democrats controlled the House of Representatives. Midterm victories flipped control in favor of Republicans, likely changing the purview of Congress and how they oversee certain departments - particularly departments led by a member of the opposing political party. The scrutiny of Buttigieg will thus increase. We should expect House hearings that probe Buttigieg’s administrative decisions and spotlight the Department of Transportation’s shortcomings, regardless of any successes.

Perhaps, then, it’s better to be an unknown, ordinary transportation secretary. Because today, many pose the name “Pete Buttigieg” as synonymous with “weak leadership”.

Then again… as the poet John Lydgat once said, (and later adapted by Former President Abraham Lincoln)…

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.”

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