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. He served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Prior to this, he was the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, earning him the moniker "Mayor Pete." A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics.

Sections (6)

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

2010: Democratic Nominee for State Treasurer of Indiana

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

2011: EPA levied fine against the city

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

2012: Demotion of Police Chief Darryl Boykins

In 2012, Pete Buttigieg demoted South Bend police chief Darryl Boykins after a federal investigation found that the police had illegally recorded telephone calls of several officers.

2012: Request for Darryl Boykins's Resignation

In 2012, Shortly after taking office, Pete Buttigieg asked for Police Chief Darryl Boykins's resignation, which he later called his "first serious mistake as mayor".

March 2017: HuffPost Article on Deportation Policies

In March 2017, Buttigieg wrote an article for the HuffPost defending a resident of Granger, Indiana, who was deported after living in the U.S. for 17 years. He criticized the Trump administration's deportation policies and supported DACA.

January 2019: Criticism of Troop Deployment to Southern Border

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

June 2019: Police officer shot and killed Eric Logan

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, including presiding over a town hall meeting.

2019: Asked for city to be released from agreement with EPA

In 2019, Pete Buttigieg requested that South Bend be released from an agreement with the EPA, brokered under his mayoral predecessor, to make further improvements to its sewer system by 2031.

October 2021: Return from parental leave

After taking paid parental leave since mid-August 2021, in October 2021, Buttigieg ramped up his activities, making many media appearances after conservatives criticized him for taking paternity leave.

October 2021: Supply chain disruption predictions

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

February 3, 2023: East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment

On February 3, 2023, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, leading to evacuations and a controlled burn of the spill that released harmful substances into the air.

February 23, 2023: NTSB releases preliminary report on Ohio train derailment

On February 23, 2023, the NTSB released a preliminary report stating that the wheel bearings overheated, with temperatures as high as 253 °F (141 °C) above the ambient temperature, about the train derailment that occurred on February 3, 2023.

March 2023: Buttigieg addresses East Palestine train derailment

In March 2023, Buttigieg acknowledged on CNN that he had underestimated the fallout from the East Palestine train derailment and regretted not visiting the site sooner, amid criticism for his handling of the situation.

March 2023: Opposition to Spirit and Frontier Airlines merger

In March 2023, Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg opposed the proposed merger of Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, deeming it anticompetitive.