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. Before that, he was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, gaining the moniker "Mayor Pete." A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics, known for his relatively young age and his focus on infrastructure and policy.

Sections (6)

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

2010: Democratic Nominee for State Treasurer

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

2011: EPA Fine for Clean Water Act Violations

In 2011, before the start of the Smart Sewer Program, the EPA had levied a fine against the city for Clean Water Act violations, which served as the impetus for the smart sewer program.

2012: Demoted Police Chief

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

2012: Boykins's Resignation

Shortly after taking office in 2012, Mayor Pete Buttigieg asked for police chief Boykins's resignation.

June 2019: Shooting of Eric Logan

In June 2019, after a white South Bend police officer shot and killed Eric Logan, an African American man, Buttigieg focused on the emerging public reaction.

August 2021: Parental Leave

Starting in mid-August 2021, Buttigieg took a paid parental leave after the birth of his twins. He was mostly offline for a month, except for major agency decisions, before ramping up activities.

October 2021: Addressing Global Supply Bottlenecks

In October 2021, Buttigieg addressed the issue of global supply bottlenecks, which had led to record shortages of household goods for American consumers. He cited high demand and the pandemic as contributing factors and predicted disruptions would continue.

February 3, 2023: East Palestine Train Derailment

On February 3, 2023, a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, carrying hazardous materials, leading to a controlled burn and evacuations. Buttigieg's Department of Transportation faced criticism for its response.

February 23, 2023: NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on East Palestine 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, leading to the derailment.

March 2023: Buttigieg Addresses East Palestine Derailment Response

In March 2023, Buttigieg appeared on CNN and admitted he erred in not visiting East Palestine sooner and failing to anticipate the fallout from the derailment.

March 2023: Opposition to Spirit-Frontier merger

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

December 2023: Record fine on Southwest Airlines

In December 2023, Buttigieg's Department of Transportation imposed a record fine of $140 million on Southwest Airlines for mass violations of consumer protection laws in 2022 due to flight cancellations.

2031: Sewer system improvements deadline

In 2019, Pete Buttigieg asked for the city to be released from an agreement with the EPA brokered under his mayoral predecessor Steve Luecke, in which South Bend had agreed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in further improvements to its sewer system by 2031.