Elaine Chao
- Known for
- Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Transportation
- Born in
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Education
- MBA, Dartmouth College
Elaine Chao is a prominent Taiwanese-American businesswoman and Republican politician who holds the distinction of being the first Asian American woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. She served as Secretary of Labor under George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation under Donald Trump. Her career spans roles in both regulatory and executive leadership across multiple administrations.
Signature Positions
Chao’s tenure in government was marked by significant regulatory actions and disaster responses in both cabinet posts:
- Labor Regulations: Updated union financial disclosure rules under the Landrum–Griffin Act and revised white-collar overtime regulations.
- Disaster Response: Directed significant Department of Labor grant funding following 9/11 and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
- Transportation Technology: Established the NETT Council to address regulatory gaps for emerging technologies like drones and self-driving cars.
- Infrastructure Initiatives: Launched the ROUTES initiative to focus on improving rural transportation infrastructure.
Notable Tensions
Chao's career has been shadowed by ethics inquiries and external criticism related to her family’s business:
- Ethics Concerns: The Inspector General cited instances of using department resources for personal errands and promoting her father's biography, referring the matter to the DOJ, which declined criminal investigation.
- Family Business Ties: Critics alleged her family's shipping company, Foremost Group, benefited from her position, though The Washington Post rated specific claims regarding her husband's campaigns as unsubstantiated.
- Kentucky Liaison: An aide was designated a special liaison for Kentucky projects, though the Inspector General found no evidence of improper influence on grant awards.
Chao’s political trajectory is deeply linked to her family's success, particularly through her marriage to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. She has leveraged her executive experience, including directing the Peace Corps and leading the United Way of America, to achieve high-level cabinet roles. Her resignation from the Trump administration followed the January 6 Capitol attack, marking a decisive break with the administration she served.