Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, faced erroneous reports to Child Protective Services (CPS), resulting in a 24-hour separation from their children.
In a recent Substack post, Buttigieg recounted that police and CPS arrived at their home “a few days ago” with allegations concerning their four-year-old twins. He was instructed not to be alone with the kids until after they were interviewed, at which point he would find out more details about the allegations.
“I felt confused and anxious, but I tried my best to stay calm,” Buttigieg shared. “I’m accustomed to dealing with false narratives and tough scrutiny, yet I couldn’t grasp why this was happening. Then the CPS officer said something that made me really uneasy. I couldn’t be alone with my children until the next day’s interview.”
Buttigieg mentioned that they decided it was best for the kids to stay with their grandparents, describing that night apart as “one of the darkest times” he has ever experienced.
Following the children’s interviews, Buttigieg met with CPS and police officers, along with his attorney, who revealed the origin of the call came from an “anonymous caller.”
“For the first time, the officer explained the actual charges,” he noted. “An anonymous caller had directly contacted CPS, claiming they spoke with a woman who met me years ago at a conference in Alabama. This woman alleged that I had committed a horrific crime and that my children were in danger.”
Buttigieg stated in his Substack piece that his family is currently grappling with the “fallout” from this situation, expressing concern about who might attempt something like this in the future.
He added that, at four years old, children “aren’t aware of political affiliations,” emphasizing that their worries should revolve around trivial matters like, say, what ice cream flavor to choose that day.
In reaction to Buttigieg’s article, several public figures, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, condemned such attacks, stressing that they should not become normalized and expressing solidarity with Buttigieg’s family.
“Horrifying,” Walz tweeted. “These political assaults have become too frequent in America. This shouldn’t be accepted as normal, and leaders across the aisle must decry it. I’ll be thinking of Pete, Chasten, and their children this week.”
Pritzker echoed similar sentiments, noting, “Regardless of our political views, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed.” He remarked, “Using false claims involving young children for political purposes is unacceptable. Pete, my thoughts are with you and your family, and I’m relieved you’re all safe. I hope those responsible are held accountable.”
“No parent should ever have to endure something like this,” Vivek Ramaswamy expressed.
Rep. Sarah McBride, a transgender representative from Delaware, characterized the incident as “reprehensible and hateful,” stating, “Our world benefits from having Pete and Chasten, their families, and their love for one another.”
