Ethics Office Has Approved All Flights Taken By The Secretary

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is the latest Trump Administration official to come under the scrutiny of some media outlets for her use of official government aircraft.

Chao has flown on two Gulfstream GIV airplanes owned by the government, and two leased Cessna jets in the past eight months, according to a report from MSN online. Several of those flights were to destinations a relatively short distance from Washington, D.C., while some have been for longer overseas flights.

All of the flights have been vetted and approved by the transportation department's ethics counsel. Marianne McInerney, Chao’s spokeswoman, told MSC that the secretary uses commercial flights whenever possible, and normally flies coach. The government aircraft are used, McInerney said, when it is less expensive to use such flights for herself, her staff and her protective detail, or to meet specific security or scheduling demands.

Former Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx reportedly used government and private aircraft 116 times during the four years he held that post, according to McInerney.

Questions about the use of private and government aircraft led at least in part to the recent resignation of HHS Secretary Tom Price.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Story