Jacob Ogles
In an interview with TIME Magazine, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he can’t reach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis even about major transportation issues.
“I’ve never heard from this Governor, and it’s not because I’ve never called him. We’ve never spoken,” Buttigieg told TIME.
However, Buttigieg said the relationship between the U.S. and Florida Departments of Transportation remains healthy.
“What I will say is we’ve done a lot of good work with the Florida Department of Transportation,” Buttigieg said. “We try to work around and through all that to just get stuff done. A huge amount of energy and effort is being wasted in these dumb fights. And that’s really unfortunate. It’s policy waste in order to achieve political benefit or perceived political benefit.”
Buttigieg notably has leveled criticism at DeSantis over non-transportation-related issues, as has his husband, Chasten Buttigieg.
When President Joe Biden picked Buttigieg as a part of his administration, the Indiana Democrat became the first openly gay man ever appointed to a federal Cabinet post. As such, he has frequently commented on LGBTQ issues nationwide.
He told CNN a parental rights legislation signed by DeSantis, a law derided by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, was dangerous. “It tells youth who are different or whose families are different that there is something wrong with them out of the gate,” he said last year.
But regardless of policy disagreements, Buttigieg said there are important infrastructure matters he would like to discuss directly with DeSantis. For example, he specifically referenced a high-speed rail project intended to connect Tampa and Miami, with stops in Orlando.
While the U.S. Transportation Department has provided $31 million to Brightline during Buttigieg’s tenure, including $16 million for a Tampa-Orlando leg, DeSantis said the state could lose out on substantial federal funding if it does not comply with deadlines.
But he said DeSantis is prioritizing culture wars and his presidential campaign.
“He’s more worried about Bud Light or Disney or whatever,” Buttigieg said.
Of note, Buttigieg has held presidential ambitions himself, running for the Democratic nomination in 2020 before dropping out and endorsing Biden. While Buttigieg isn’t expected to challenge his boss for the nomination in 2024, he’s a prospective contender in 2028 whether Biden wins or loses his re-election bid. This potentially could set up Buttigieg and DeSantis as direct political foes.
18 comments
Earl Pitts American
June 14, 2023 at 11:43 am
Good afternoon Pete,
I,m sorry but my beautiful wife “Real/Lady” Earline Pitts American wont allow me, Earl Pitts American to consort with known homertesticals.
I hope you understand
Earl Pitts “He/Him” American
Earl Pitts American
June 14, 2023 at 11:48 am
Oh wait my bad Pete,
I, Earl Pitts American, will pass your request for a callback on to The Ronald. FYI Pete, we have already made a selection for The Ronald’s running mate for VPOTUS.
Thanks again Pete,
Earl Pitts “He/Him” American
Paula
June 14, 2023 at 1:24 pm
You belong on Trumps team. You are what and who the word imbecile and low life pertains to.
Earl Pitts American
June 14, 2023 at 1:43 pm
Oh wait Paula,
This may just all be a really big misunderstanding, Pete wants to talk trains…NOT ….trans. Thank you Paula.
OK I’ll call him back.
Thank you Paula,
Earl Pitts American
Randall
June 14, 2023 at 7:11 pm
Agree!
Tom
June 14, 2023 at 12:09 pm
I guess he’s both a fascist and a homophobe. Unbelievable considering he’s running for national office. What a small minded, little man.
Michael K
June 14, 2023 at 12:36 pm
He’s also just plain rude – a xenophobe with the social skills and personality of a Roomba.
Funny how the thin-skinned autocrat will bash the federal government – yet take the money, and even misuse funds for his personal political ambition or some awful stunt. If he can’t even deal with the federal transportation department, imagine what an insufferable bully he’ll be on the world stage. And by the way, his investment acumen (ESG) is terrible, at a terrible cost to the Florida pension fund.
Paula
June 14, 2023 at 1:26 pm
🤭 that was a totally uncalled for statement.
Earl Pitts American
June 14, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Get ’em Paula I like you!
EPA
SteveHC
June 14, 2023 at 3:30 pm
DeSantis is anti-homosexuality and anti-LGBTQ+ in general. NOT “phobic,” ANTI. He doesn’t really fear it as he knows they are collectively in the minority. More like anti-civil rights if not outright hateful. Clearly un-American no matter how you look at it.
R. Bruce
June 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Hi-speed rail is a huge money pit that will never to profitable and will never meet expectations. There is no reason why federal, or state tax dollars should be spent on such a pointless project.
If Sec of Transportation says a law passed by the State House is “Don’t say Gay”, then he lies. No such law. Why would any Govenor talk to a blatant liar?
SteveHC
June 14, 2023 at 3:34 pm
“R. Bruce” – Given that you are so far removed from modern society (regardless of country) I must ask on what planet do you reside? Clearly not Earth, at least not the one in *this* universe.
Earl Pitts American
June 14, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Thank you R. Bruce,
Great comment, I dont know why those 2 looser haters above your great comment feel like its OK to trash me in their childish commentary. But I, Earl Pitts American, suspect this Michael K and that Tom dude may be dook 4 brains lefty’s.
Thank you R. Bruce
Marco
June 14, 2023 at 8:15 pm
Why should the government, give pot hole Pete the time of day?
WhatNow
June 14, 2023 at 10:36 pm
– Given that he’s head of the UD DOT I’d think the reason would be pretty obvious to even just slightly-informed people…
WhatNow
June 14, 2023 at 10:38 pm
– *U S* DOT. Sorry for the typo.
just sayin
June 15, 2023 at 8:01 am
What, exactly, has he accomplished in his tenure besides grandstanding like this? He was MIA for months, absent during various crises, still letting airlines flout the law. He’s managed to piss of the Left and the Right. You don’t have to defend him just because he’s on “your team”.
Justin
June 17, 2023 at 9:42 am
Since you asked, here’s a list of USDOT achievements under Sec. Pete.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.dev/files/docs/2-15-13%20Accomplishments%20Overview%20U%20S%20%20Department%20of%20Transportation%20FINAL.pdf
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