Chasten Buttigieg fires back at Pete’s Democratic critic over Southwest collapse

Chasten Buttigieg has come to the defense of her husband, Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as critics from his own party accuse him of failing to prevent the current airline crisis.

The DOT secretary faces pressure from influential leaders across the political spectrum as tens of thousands of Americans remain stranded in airports across the country.

BUTTIGIEG UNDER FIRE FROM BOTH PARTIES Amid FIASCO SOUTHWEST HOLIDAY TRIP

Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,500 flights Wednesday, or 62% of its entire route. The airline plans to expect flight schedules to normalize from Friday.

Democratic and GOP elected officials and political activists claimed point hold the company accountable so that customers receive full refunds and accommodations.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ISSUES SECOND APOLOGY AND ANNOUNCES RESOURCES FOR CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS AND LOST BAGGAGE

A Southwest Airlines plane taxis from a gate at Baltimore Washington’s Thurgood Marshall International Airport on October 11, 2021 in Baltimore.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna expressed frustration with the situation Thursday, saying he and independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders had come up with policies that could have prevented it.

« Almost six months ago[Bernie Sanders and] I called on Buttigieg to impose fines and penalties on airlines for canceling flights. Why were these recommendations not followed? This mess with Southwest could have been avoided. We need bold actions. »

SEAN DUFFY ON TRANSPORTATION CHAOS: “MAYOR PETE” WAS UNKNOWN TO THE PROBLEM

Rep. Ro Khanna.
(FoxNews)

Chasten Buttigieg defended her husband on Friday, accusing Khanna of failing to speak out against Southwest’s corporate direction and outdated logistics.

« No tweets about his timeline regarding Southwest leaders or their outdated computer system. That’s politics I guess, » Chasten wrote.

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For more than a year, Republican leaders have complained that Buttigieg isn’t taking his job seriously amid a series of crises for Americans. Buttigieg was on vacation in Europe as railway unions tried to negotiate a deal in September to avoid a potentially disastrous strike.

The secretary was on paternity leave with her husband and their two newborn babies for several months last year as the country faced supply chain shortages.