Another Trump-Era Scandal Outruns Justice
Where are the enforcers?
Most political voyeurs expected some negative feedback from Congress when Trump appointed Elaine Chao as Secretary of Transportation in 2017, yet she was blessed with a 93–6 approval by the Senate. From the very beginning of Chao’s term, little ripples of corruption floated out to Capitol Hill. As the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, it was something of a surprise that Chao would pull this flagrant conflict of interest move in plain sight.
The first signal of Chao’s intentions to enrich her family connections during this term is an interview with New China Press published on April 12, 2017. Chao barely had time to redecorate before violating her oath of office the first time. The interview features Chao and her father sitting in what appears to be the Department of Transportation, with DOT flags in view behind the interviewer. Over a dozen such interviews occurred during her term in office.
Chao’s father, James Chao, a shipping magnate (Foremost Group) with extensive business interests in China, receives his financial support from China banks. Although the Foremost Group lists its headquarters as New York, all its contracts are with the government of China. The family sits on the board of China banks and trade groups.
These appearances raise ethical concerns, experts say, because public officials are legally banned from using their office for any form of private gain for themselves or others. Her boss, Donald Trump, pulled this illegal trick himself many times. No authority stepped up to stop them or even slap their hands.
Disrespecting the office they hold is a major infraction against democracy. Where are the enforcers? When questioned by the press, her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell arrogantly passed it off as a joke. Since his lack of integrity goes unpunished, why should he worry about “we the people.”
Recently the Oversight and Reform Committee is probing moves by the Transportation Department to cut millions from programs that fund national security during war or emergencies. Meant to help the U.S. shipping industry respond during dangerous times, these programs cut our reliance on foreign-flagged ships. The links to China shipping concerns really pop out here. “Removing domestic maritime funding could have helped Foremost Group because the company owns foreign-flagged ships” says the Washington Post.
Chao’s appointment to head the Department of Labor (2001–2009) brought with it rumors of conflict of interest too. Records show the Labor Department misled Congress in several areas under her watch. Adding to the intrigue, around 2008 the Chao family transferred millions into the McConnell/Chao bank account making McConnell the richest man in the Senate, declaring his worth today about $35 million.
Since government investigators are on duty 24/7 to drain the swamp, indictments should follow. It took several years to gel, but the case was working its way to public view when Chao resigned in January 2021, just weeks before her term expired. Resigning from office shuts the door on any legal action unless criminal intent can be proven. Chao probably learned this trick from Donald J. Trump’s older sister who resigned her lifetime job in Federal court before an indictment come down that would uncover the Trump family financials.
In the Chao case, Trump’s DOJ refused to prosecute. This type of criminal behavior is so common among Congress members that voters rate them in the roughly 29% public trust range, lower than any other elected officials. This, of course, feeds into the angry and violent reactions from citizens occurring now. There has been no justice.
To make this right with the American people, we need a department in the Biden Administration dedicated to the enforcement of congressional employees that break their oath of office. Fill this office with dedicated highly paid civil servants that have no connection to any person employed by the U.S. Government. If this does not happen soon, a revolution may be in our future.
Other interesting links to the Elaine Chao scandal:
Eric Lipton/Michael Forsythe /New York Times (March 4, 2021) Elaine Chao Investigated by House Panel for Possible Conflicts
Hannah Knowles / Washington Post (Sept 17, 2019) Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao faces investigation over ‘troubling’ ethics allegations
Snyder, Tanya / Politico (May 6, 2018). “Did Elaine Chao’s DOT interviews help her family’s business?”.
Snyder, Tanya / Politico (Oct 01, 2018)”Where is Elaine Chao?”
Helaine Olen / Slate (Jan 17, 2017) Elaine Chao Second Income Source While Serving as Transportation Secretary
Fang, Lee / The Nation (October 30, 2014). “Mitch McConnell’s Freighted Ties to a Shadowy Shipping Company”.
Carol D. Leonnig / Washington Post (November 25, 2008). “GAO Report Says Labor Department Misled Congress on Cost of Outsourcing Jobs”
