A U.S. government watchdog, the Department of Transportation’s inspector general, has confirmed that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's use of government airplanes for eight trips, which has been dubbed 'PRIVATE JET PETE' by some, was in compliance with all federal rules. The review, which also included the travel activities of Buttigieg's predecessor, Elaine Chao, found no violations of the proper rules governing official travel on government jets. The report comes amidst scrutiny of Buttigieg's travel expenses, which totaled nearly $59,000 in taxpayer money. The issue has sparked debate, with some contrasting the media's treatment of Chao's travel with that of Buttigieg, suggesting a bias due to Buttigieg's status as a potential presidential hopeful.
Pete Buttigieg spent $59,000 in taxpayer money traveling on govt jets: inspector general https://t.co/8sE2cBrAqo
BREAKING: @SecretaryPete spent nearly $60,000 in taxpayer money traveling on govt jets: @CaitlinAPT: As [travelers] sit on the tarmac, they’ll have plenty of time to wonder why they’re paying for their own commercial flights & Buttigieg’s private flights."https://t.co/2c7T4fXSAw
PRIVATE JET PETE: Pete Buttigieg spent $59,000 in taxpayer money traveling on govt jets: inspector general https://t.co/QcfaGD6PDL
Sec. Chao used private travel less in her tenure than Sec. Buttigieg has in half the time. Yet the same media that attacked her is now running cover for Pete. If you’re going out of your way to protect a presidential hopeful, at least be more subtle... https://t.co/lLD3fvCnB6
The Department of Transportation’s inspector general concluded Wednesday that Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his predecessor, Elaine Chao, followed the proper rules when they used government jets for official travel. https://t.co/BQ1bo4jMQB
Buttigieg flights on US government jets complied with federal rules, review finds https://t.co/rFd0rnlW3x https://t.co/JHQElLTlc1
⚠️ BUTTIGIEG FLIGHTS ON US GOVERNMENT JETS COMPLIED WITH FEDERAL RULES -REPORT A U.S. government watchdog said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's use of government airplanes on eight trips complied with all federal rules. The Transportation Department Office of… https://t.co/HJ2iLYryOb