Buttigieg’s landing spot comes as a surprise given his thin transportation policy resume.
President-elect Joe Biden will nominate former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to be Transportation secretary, according to three people familiar with the decision.
Buttigieg’s ascension to the top spot at DOT marks the culmination of a meteoric rise in politics over the last two years from the mayor of South Bend, Ind., to the first openly gay Cabinet secretary, if he is confirmed.
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Buttigieg, 38, wanted to serve as the ambassador to the United Nations, a position that went to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and he was also considered for Commerce secretary. But Buttigieg has a limited political future in his home state of Indiana, and Buttigieg supporters were hopeful Biden would give the mayor a high-profile spot to gain more experience and bolster his big political ambitions.
If confirmed, Buttigieg will head to Washington to take responsibility for nearly 55,000 employees, an $87 billion budget and more than a dozen administrations, overseeing the nation’s airspace, highway system, pipeline safety and much more.
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If confirmed, Pete Buttigieg will take responsibility an $87 billion budget overseeing the nation’s airspace, highway system, pipeline safety and much more https://t.co/kp8rXogFpj
— POLITICO (@politico) December 16, 2020
I've been seeing this in a lot of reactions to Biden's cabinet picks. "But he/she really deserves…"
No. No one *deserves* a Cabinet post. You're either qualified for the job or you're not. I like Mayor Pete just fine, but it's not a pick that makes any sense, imo. #expertise https://t.co/bRpwUa6mRx
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 16, 2020
“He’s a very smart guy who needs to be nurtured“ is not a qualification to be a cabinet secretary https://t.co/GdYA9yO7po
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 16, 2020
Once again, this is an approach that is indistinguishable from a Trumper https://t.co/6mBhVEldD8
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 16, 2020
Pres. Biden is doing what most of his predecessors have done. Usually, these nominations are rewards for family, friends, donors, frat brothers and golfing buddies. Trump was a master practitioner, and his picks usually were terrible in their jobs. Not sure what Pres. Biden’s motive is for nominating Buttigieg for Transportation Secretary. Biden has said he wants to overhaul Amtrak. Maybe he was looking for a yes man to help him get it done.
Same old same old. These appointments are mainly rewards. I knew there would be many things that Biden did that I wouldn’t agree with. This is one of them and I’m sure lots more to come. All I really cared about was getting rid of Trump and having a POTUS that was mentally stable and would lead in the right direction with COVID. If he does those two things I will be happy. As it stands now there isn’t anyone in the picture that I would want to vote for as POTUS . Disgusted with the lot of them.
Dude, just build my roads https://t.co/WEMrgxDrMH
— Christian Schneider (@Schneider_CM) December 16, 2020
This is the take that dispirits me more than any other, as if a Cabinet job is some sort of a super-internship for that special student you think will blossom if he or she is given the right mentoring. We are in a national crisis. This is not a summer job at Dad's office. https://t.co/eBqDgdUmFc
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 16, 2020
Me: I really think the Austin nomination is a bad idea
Twitter: Well, yeah, but give it a chance
Me: I don't understand McDonough at the VA
Twitter: …
Me: Mayor Pete is not qual –
Twitter: OMG YOU HATEY HATER HE CAN DO ANYTHING INCLUDING RUNNING THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 16, 2020
So Buttigieg wants to focus on “social justice,” not on transportation. This should work out well. Sigh!
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