Allegations against Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao of ethics violations and conflicts of interest have prompted a response by DOT officials. In a letter signed by one of Chao’s subordinates, the DOT called the allegations “simply false” and went further, saying that they demonstrated “a fundamental lack of understanding [of]… East Asian culture and families.”
On September 16th, the House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the US DOT, announcing that they had begun investigating Chao’s possible conflicts of interest, ethics violations, and “misstatements of fact.”
“The Committee is investigating several allegations relating to your service as Secretary of Transportation, including troubling questions about whether you are using your office to benefit yourself and your family,” reads the letter.
In a response letter from the DOT, Assistant Secretary of Governmental Affairs Adam Sullivan writes that “the allegation that the Secretary has used her official position to benefit her family’s business is simply false.”
Concerns had surfaced thanks to multiple media reports. Allegations included that Chao had appeared on Chinese media alongside her father, the founder of an international shipping group with financial ties to China which is still owned by Chao’s family with her sister as it’s CEO. During some of those broadcasts, Chao and her father stood behind the official seal of the Department of Transportation. On one occasion, Chao’s father reportedly “boasted about his access to President Trump on Air Force One.”
The letter does not deny this allegation. Instead, it re-brands the ‘Chinese media’ as “Chinese-language media,” saying “it should come as no surprise that Secretary Chao would receive requests for interviews from media outlets that serve Asian American and Asian communities” given her status as “the first American of Chinese ancestry in history, male or female, to sit in a President’s Cabinet.”
“Like many other Americans of Asian heritage, the Secretary values and honors her parents, and she cherishes the opportunity to spend time with and care for her father, while honoring the memory of her mother,” writes Sullivan in regards to allegations. “The web of innuendo and the baseless inferences contained in these new reports demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of these key cultural values, which are central to East Asian culture and families.”
Source: DOT, overdrive, freightwaves, truckersreport
shogun says
We have investigated ourselves and found no wrongdoing. Pffft.
Nocount says
Being married to “Moscow Mitch” is enough information for me.
bruce says
As heavily censored as nearly ALL trucking websites tend to be I’m shocked you got to say that. I have ZERO sympathy for the current party in power that I had back in the 1980’s when we had a man in office that stood for something other than just downright buffoonery. Theres just no other way to call it and that gentleman you mentioned silence about it has not gotten to the level of being criminal.
Deaconblues62 says
Ronald Reagan? LOL 😂, you mean the guy who gave all the Corporations the Power over all the workers?
The PATCO STRIKE, who raised taxes $88billion dollars then convinced everyone that he didn’t?
The guy who made a deal with the AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI to hold the American Hostages until after the elections so he could get the credit instead of President Jimmy Carter.
The guy who’s motto was, FEED THE HORSES SO THE PIGEONS CAN EAT? 😆, well I’m glad you’re doing well.
Remember that deal Reagan made with the Ayatollah blew right up in his face when the Ayatollah let all the Women and the Black Soldiers go!
Deaconblues62 says
If you want to talk about the IRAN 🇮🇷 CONTRA and Colonel Oliver North and his poor Secretary Fawn Hall and how they were both thrown under the bus by that great administration, 😂 LOL 😆, bring it on.
What was it Reagan stood for again??? 🤔
Sean says
Of course she is benefiting from her position . . . she’s a govt official. ‘Nuf said!
Ron Jon says
She’s guilty, otherwise these allegations wouldn’t of induced a response. Furthermore, how effective can she be if shes going to China to care for her father all the time?
TexasJester says
So – if she gives a response, she’s seen as guilty. If she didn’t give a response, she’s seen as guilty.
Right.
So much for due process as guaranteed in Amendments 5 and 6.
Deke says
5th and 14th.
Danny says
Chinese people love their families? I guess it’s okay then.
Dan says
Asians respect and honor their family and anyone that has spent time in Asia would be well aware of this culture. Weather it be China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, or any other Asian country that I forgot to mention, the family, parents and elders are respected. This is not common in the United States and most other Western Countries now, as it use to be. A little research is required to fully understand this culture or you could just read the Bible. “Every person must respect his mother and his father” (Leviticus 19:3).
Russ J. Alan says
That’s great. But you’ll admit that you know nothing about the facts of the case. Right? Because many of us have watched this really close since she was made Transportation secretary. The complaint isn’t that she spent time with her parents. It’s that her and her legislator hubby have greased the skids for her shipping tycoon daddy and daddy is lining hubby’s pockets. Now shut up
TexasJester says
Proof?
Douglas Kirk says
What could family and culture possibly have to with anything? Do the job you were hired to do
Russ J. Alan says
The complaint isn’t that she spent time with her parents. It’s that her and her legislator hubby have greased the skids for her shipping tycoon daddy and daddy is lining hubby’s pockets
TexasJester says
I’m being moderated by mentioning the current president by name???
TexasJester says
I’m being moderated by mentioning the current president by name!!!
TexasJester says
She was appointed by the current president.
TexasJester says
The House is trying to keep the president from being re-elected.
TexasJester says
This is just another lame attempt to discredit him.
Mark says
He doesn’t need any help with that…he’s doing a fine job of it on his own.
Lou says
So which one of the 20 clowns on the D side is any better.
Mark says
“So which one of the 20 clowns on the D side is any better.”
Any of them…at least they aren’t traitors.
Michael Grossman says
Im married to a Chinese woman she is old school chinese let me tell you to her our family comes before god himself lol but how can this Chinese woman who im sure has not seen the inside or seen the inside of a big truck dictate how many hours a day and how we use those hours in a day to drive
Zion Gatez says
I know BS when I see it and this broad is full of it. She shouldn’t even be in that position. Talk about Quid pro Quo . Moscow Mitch does hate America !!!
Lou says
You voting for Ukraine Joe?
Tlm says
Since when does another country’s way and rule of life come above our laws ? Ridiculous
Turdontherun says
That’s a whole bunch of whofahkincares? A politician is abusing the trust of the citizens! Nothing new here. And I don’t really see anything wrong with it. The article actually isn’t that incriminating.
david james says
The response from the DOT defending Secretary Elaine Chao against ethics allegations invokes cultural considerations. While asserting the claims as “simply false,” the DOT suggests a lack of understanding of East Asian culture. Transparency is crucial in such matters, and if facing any Xfinity billing issues, users can click here for assistance, emphasizing the importance of clarity in both government and private sectors.