White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain responded to a report about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, calling it âridiculous.â
Klain took to Twitter to respond to an Axios report titled, âHistoric transportation crises haunt Buttigieg.â
Axios shared a link to the report on Twitter with the caption, âA historic string of air, rail and supply-chain meltdowns has plagued Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegâs first two years in office.â
Klain reacted to the report, saying, âThis is a ridiculous take. As we have reopened the economy and accelerated its growth, there have been many challenges.â
He added, â has done an incredible job in tackling them and getting America moving again â without the kind of disruptions weâve seen in other countries.â
Some Twitter users fired back at Klain.
Columnist Ian Haworth replied, âAny thoughts on his months-long âpaternityâ leave when no-one noticed he was gone?â
One user suggested what is âtruly ridiculous is the lack of accountability throughout the Biden administration.â
Columnist Boris Ephsteyn tweeted, âTell that to the Americans stuck at all our airports yesterday. You and your team are hopeless and pathetic.â
The Axios report noted, on Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration had to temporarily ground all flights nationwide for the first time since 9/11.
Buttigieg was roasted on Twitter following the cancellations and delays, as IJR reported.
Republican lawmakers have also vocalized their criticism of Buttigieg.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) filed a bill requiring Buttigieg and his staff to fly commercial until an issue involving Southwest Airlines and the cancelations were investigated and resolved, as Fox News reported.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation told Fox News that 111 of Buttigiegâs 129 flights for his trips have been commercial.
âHowever, there are specific instances where the DOT Ethics Office approves use of the 9-seat FAA plane when it is more efficient and/or less expensive way for the Secretary and accompanying personnel to travel,â the spokesperson said. âThis approach has saved taxpayer dollars.â
