Challenges in the Life of Pete Buttigieg in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Pete Buttigieg. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Pete Buttigieg is an American politician and former naval officer, most notably serving as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021-2025). He's a member of the Democratic Party and gained prominence as the 32nd Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012-2020), earning the moniker 'Mayor Pete.' Buttigieg is a public figure known for his political career and prior military service.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2010: Runs for Indiana State Treasurer

In 2010, Buttigieg ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for Indiana state treasurer.

2010: Runs for State Treasurer of Indiana

In 2010, Buttigieg was the Democratic nominee for state treasurer of Indiana but lost to the Republican incumbent, Richard Mourdock.

2011: EPA levied fine against city

In 2011, the EPA levied a fine against the city for Clean Water Act violations, which served as the impetus for the smart sewer program.

2012: Requests Boykins's Resignation

In 2012, Buttigieg asked for Boykins's resignation, leading to lawsuits.

2012: Demotes Police Chief

In 2012, after a federal investigation, Buttigieg demoted police chief Darryl Boykins.

March 2017: Defense of Indiana Resident

In March 2017, Buttigieg defended a Granger, Indiana resident who was deported after living in the U.S. for 17 years, despite regularly checking in with ICE and applying for a green card, in an article for HuffPost.

January 2019: Criticism of Trump's Border Policy

In January 2019, Buttigieg criticized Trump's decision to send American troops to the Southern border as "reckless", during an interview with CBS News.

June 2019: Response to Eric Logan shooting

In June 2019, after a white South Bend police officer shot and killed Eric Logan, an African American man, Pete Buttigieg addressed the public reaction, holding a town hall meeting and facing criticism from the local police union.

2019: Asked city to be released from EPA agreement

In 2019, Buttigieg asked for the city to be released from an agreement with the EPA brokered under his mayoral predecessor Steve Luecke, which required South Bend to make further improvements to its sewer system by 2031.

March 1, 2020: Drops Out of Presidential Race

On March 1, 2020, Buttigieg dropped out of the presidential race.

October 2021: Supply chain disruption predictions

By October 2021, Buttigieg cited high demand and the pandemic as causes for global supply bottlenecks that resulted in record shortages of household goods for American consumers, and he predicted that the disruptions would continue into the next year.

October 2021: Return to public life after parental leave

In early October 2021, after being on paid leave since mid-August 2021, Buttigieg ramped up activities, making many media appearances following his parental leave after the birth of his twins.

February 23, 2023: NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Ohio Train Derailment

On February 23, 2023, the NTSB released a preliminary report stating that overheated wheel bearings contributed to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, with temperatures reaching 253 °F above ambient temperature.

March 2023: Buttigieg acknowledges error in East Palestine derailment response

In March 2023, Buttigieg acknowledged failing to anticipate the fallout from the train derailment in East Palestine and erred in not visiting the site sooner.

March 2023: Opposition to Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines merger

In March 2023, Buttigieg opposed the proposed merger of Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, citing anticompetitive concerns.

December 2023: Record Fine on Southwest Airlines

In December 2023, the Department of Transportation, under Buttigieg, imposed a record fine of $140 million on Southwest Airlines for consumer protection violations in 2022.