Pete Buttigieg

Title: Trans Porta-Potty Law, Smith College Probe, GOP Groomer Arrested & Pete Buttigieg Claps Back Episode Summary: Seven stories from the front lines of LGBTQ+ rights — South Carolina's shocking new trans bathroom law, the federal government targeting Smith College, a Republican "groomer" accuser arrested for soliciting a child, the Supreme Court gutting conversion therapy bans, Colorado's gay governor in hot water with his own party, an Iowa Democrat going viral, and Pete and Chasten Buttigieg refusing to stand down. Episode Notes: 1. South Carolina HB 4756 — Trans Students Sent to Porta-Potties Gov. Henry McMaster signed the "Student Physical Privacy Act," requiring trans students to use outdoor portable toilets instead of school restrooms. Also covers overnight trip sleeping arrangements and college rooming policies. Must be implemented by the 2026-2027 school year. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, PinkNews 2. Smith College Title IX Investigation The Trump DOE's Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into 155-year-old Smith College in Northampton, MA, for admitting trans women since 2015. Triggered by conservative group Defending Education. Could impact all Seven Sisters colleges. Sources: CNN, WBUR, Inside Higher Ed 3. Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams Arrested Former Colorado Republican Party chair Dave Williams — who called LGBTQ+ people "groomers" and "predators" in official party communications — was arrested for attempting to hire a child prostitute. Follows the January 2026 sentencing of SC Rep. RJ May (17.5 years for distributing child sex abuse material) and the April 2026 arrest of a Hanahan, SC city councilmember on similar charges. Source: LGBTQ Nation 4. Supreme Court — Chiles v. Salazar (March 31, 2026) The Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's conversion therapy ban likely violates the First Amendment. Brought by Christian counselor Kaley Chiles. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole dissent. The ruling is expected to threaten conversion therapy bans in 20+ states. Every major U.S. medical association rejects conversion therapy as harmful and scientifically discredited. Sources: NPR, CNN, The 19th, PBS NewsHour 5. Gov. Jared Polis Commutes Tina Peters' Sentence Colorado's first openly gay governor drew bipartisan condemnation on May 15 after commuting the 9-year sentence of election tamperer Tina Peters, who was convicted of multiple felonies for allowing election deniers access to voting machines. Condemned by the Colorado AG, secretary of state, Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, the AFL-CIO, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Republican DA who prosecuted Peters. Sources: MSNBC, NBC News, Colorado Sun, CNN 6. Iowa's Rob Sand Goes Viral Iowa State Auditor and 2026 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand went viral this week for his town hall singing ritual — asking attendees of all parties to sing "America the Beautiful" together before any political discussion. At a 2025 town hall, Sand directly called Iowa's repeal of civil rights protections for transgender Iowans "wrong" and pledged to restore them if elected governor. Sources: LGBTQ Nation, Iowa Starting Line, The Gazette 7. Pete Buttigieg vs. Sean Duffy's Road Trip Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared on CNN's State of the Union on May 18 to call current Secretary Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" — a seven-month cross-country reality show — an "embarrassment." The show is sponsored by Boeing, Shell, and Royal Caribbean, all of which are regulated by Duffy's own department. Chasten Buttigieg also called out the Duffys on social media, referencing their attacks on Pete during their son's NICU stay in 2021. Rachel Campos-Duffy told Chasten to "stand down." He did not. Sources: LGBTQ

On Monday, I caught up with former Transportation Secretary, mayor, and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg while on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, on this episode of The Siren Podcast. Secretary Buttigieg spoke openly about Trump’s new war in Iran, and the dangers that American troops in the region now face. Buttigieg himself served in the U.S. military and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, where he worked in a secure unit in Kabul, conducting over 90 “outside the wire” convoy trips. As Buttigieg told me, “The president hasn’t even tried to explain to the American people, or to the troops, or to the Congress, real reasons why [the Iran war] couldn’t be avoided.” Buttigieg continued: “Six families and counting have gotten that knock on the door. If you can ask families to go through that and service members to put their lives on the line, the very minimum the Congress should be ready to do is to sit in Washington to take a vote and put their names against an up or down vote on whether they’re gonna allow this.” As we have observed, Donald Trump and his allies have released a series of garbled, awkward statements combining just about every justification under the sun as to their reasoning for beginning the war. One of the more concerning things thus far, is Donald Trump’s avoidance to deliver a presidential address to the nation explaining why the country is involved in yet another Middle Eastern conflict, demonstrating a sincere disinterest in governing for the American people. Coming from the “most transparent administration in history,” there is a huge lack of transparency, whether we’re discussing the Iran War or the Epstein files. Thank you all so much for watching today’s episode. It’s because of your support that I’m able to have these incredible conversations. I love you guys!! 💙 Jo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest on The Reason Interview with Nick Gillespie is Pete Buttigieg , former secretary of transportation and already a leading, if undeclared, contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Buttigieg reflects on his time in government, his evolving views on federal power, and why he thinks DOGE was a good idea that was poorly executed. An outspoken critic of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Donald Trump, Buttigieg says that the use of masked agents and martial tactics against nonviolent immigrants contributes to a loss of trust and confidence among the public. That trust can be restored, he argues, through transparency and restraint. "If you're here and you shouldn't be and you're dangerous, you've got to go," he says, "but it does not to follow from that that it's okay to see all of this abusive behavior coming from federal immigration troops…in our cities." Gillespie and Buttigieg debate the role of government, federal spending, subsidizing high-speed rail, and the rate of social progress, and they explore possible areas of overlap between Democrats and libertarians. 0:00–ICE accountability and immigration policy 8:40–What can Democrats offer libertarian voters? 11:05–The national debt and federal spending 15:50–Automation and government efficiency 21:23–The private sector versus public benefit 26:31–Tariffs and free trade 34:20–Democratic Party failures in 2024 41:35–Identity politics 43:40–Responding to Kamala Harris' comments 46:25–Perceptions of Millennial and Gen Z voters 49:00–Republican messaging around trans people 52:23–National service and shared identity Transcript This is an AI-generated, AI-edited transcript. Check all quotes against the audio for accuracy. Nick Gillespie: This is The Reason Interview with Nick Gillespie . Thanks for listening. Today I'm talking with former South Bend, Indiana, mayor and secretary of transportation, Pete Buttigieg, o ne of the most visible, nationally recognized Democrats. He's been making the rounds of colleges and podcasts and cable news shows over the past few months. He's going all over the country. My producer tells me that he's headed to New Hampshire soon, according to his mailing list. Which might be an indication that he's running for president or thinking about it. I'm talking with him today less because he's one of the most prominent Democrats in the country, and more because he's been reaching out to libertarians on issues recently such as holding ICE accountable. Pete Buttigieg, thanks for talking to Reason . Pete Buttigieg: Thanks a lot for having me on. Glad to be with you. So first up, are you running for president? I'm a long way from any kind of decision like that. But I do know that as somebody who has a level of national visibility and really cares about the issues going on in the country, that I should be speaking out, traveling, trying to reach different kinds of audiences, and that's what I'm doing. And listening, right? You should be listening. Yes, absolutely. As much listening. Well, let's talk a little bit about ICE because I think you recently, about a couple of weeks ago, you had a tweet . This was after Rénee Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by ICE agents. You tweeted, "If there was ever a moment f

We're celebrating our 300th episode of An Honorable Profession! Thank you to our listeners for being part of this journey and we look forward to introducing you to more inspiring leaders from across the country over our next 300 episodes. In this special episode, hosts NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty are joined by former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, a longtime NewDEAL Leader and one of the podcast's early guests. Buttigieg discusses the lessons he has learned from politics and leadership on his journey from South Bend Mayor to a cabinet member. The conversation delves into his advice for communicating with Americans of all political stripes in a highly polarized environment and why it's critical for leaders to go everywhere to meet people in the physical and virtual spaces where they are. In addition, Debbie, Ryan, and Buttigieg talk about how Democrats move forward with an agenda to rebuild damage from the Trump Administration without going back to a past status quo. Buttigieg also reflects on fatherhood and finding perspective beyond politics, sharing how family helps keep his actions grounded in hope. Tune in for a full-circle conversation that honors public service and looks ahead to a new generation of hopeful and pragmatic leaders. Help us celebrate our 300th episode by sharing this episode and subscribing to An Honorable Profession wherever you listen to podcasts, and giving us a five star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Subscribe to our Substack, The Roadmap here Subscribe to our YT Channel here NewDEAL Website NewDEAL Forum Website IN THIS EPISODE : • [00:00] Celebrating the 300th episode milestone of An Honorable Profession. • [02:24] Remembering Buttigieg's first appearance on the show as a young mayor. • [03:57] Lessons from local leadership that continue to guide his perspective. • [06:23] Buttigieg's advice on when and how Democrats should take principled, effective stands. • [08:53] Defining what it means to "fight" as democrats: standing for what's right, not just against opponents. • [10:14] Communicating beyond echo chambers and reaching audiences across divides. • [12:24] The messages that resonate as we head into the 2026 midterm elections. • [15:11] How Democrats can prepare now to rebuild government and restore public trust. • [19:43] Using AI to solve real problems while guarding against its unintended harm. • [23:36] Rebuilding community through shared service and belonging beyond politics. • [27:00] Democrats' effort to reclaim freedom, faith, and patriotism as inclusive American values. • [29:11] Finding hope and perspective through fatherhood and a renewed sense of purpose

Pete Buttigieg has a clear vision of where his party lost its way. Now Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, wants to use those lessons to shape the Democratic Party of the future and America’s next story. “Sooner or later, one day Donald Trump will not be active in American politics. And the sooner we spend our energy thinking about what to do next, I actually think the sooner that day will come,” he tells David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion. In this conversation, Buttigieg explains why DOGE’s destruction of government institutions may be an opportunity for Democrats and what working to revive his hometown taught him about the threats we face from artificial intelligence. Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com. Read the full transcript here: https://nytimes.com/2025/10/14/opinion/next-american-story-pete-buttigieg.html This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Jillian Weinberger. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. The rest of the show's production team includes Derek Arthur, Vishakha Darbha and Kristina Samulewski. Mixing by Sonia Herrero. Original music by Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Kate Sinclair. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. The director of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins the Mo News Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation just months after leaving the Biden administration, to talk politics, democracy, aviation, fatherhood—and his latest thinking on a potential 2028 presidential run. Buttigieg weighs in on Trump’s second term, his budget cuts, the flood of executive orders, and how worried he is about the state of American democracy. Why he thinks it is not a certainty that Democrats may be able to win the White House back in the coming years. He also shares what he’s learned from his recent podcast tour (including stops popular on the right), what Democrats keep missing in their message, and his perspective on Trump’s war on institutions like the media, universities, and major law firms. We dig into the Democratic Party’s struggles with young and working-class voters, the rise of Democratic Socialists, and a generational shift to the right already underway. Buttigieg also reflects on his time in the Biden administration—including what he observed about Biden’s cognitive state, whether he should’ve run for reelection, and whether Buttigieg wishes he said something earlier. Plus, we press him on his tenure as Transportation Secretary—from airline safety to the air traffic controller shortage. And, we look ahead at his growing alarm over AI’s potential to destabilize American society. Finally, we discuss 2028 election plans: What he’s weighing, what it would take to run again, and whether America is ready for another Buttigieg campaign. 🐝 This podcast was recorded from the Mo News office at ⁠⁠ Industrious at Midtown on 50th St. ⁠⁠ Mosheh Oinounou ( ⁠⁠ @mosheh ⁠⁠ ) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins the Mo News Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation just months after leaving the Biden administration, to talk politics, democracy, aviation, fatherhood—and his latest thinking on a potential 2028 presidential run. Buttigieg weighs in on Trump’s second term, his budget cuts, the flood of executive orders, and how worried he is about the state of American democracy. Why he thinks it is not a certainty that Democrats may be able to win the White House back in the coming years. He also shares what he’s learned from his recent podcast tour (including stops popular on the right), what Democrats keep missing in their message, and his perspective on Trump’s war on institutions like the media, universities, and major law firms. We dig into the Democratic Party’s struggles with young and working-class voters, the rise of Democratic Socialists, and a generational shift to the right already underway. Buttigieg also reflects on his time in the Biden administration—including what he observed about Biden’s cognitive state, whether he should’ve run for reelection, and whether Buttigieg wishes he said something earlier. Plus, we press him on his tenure as Transportation Secretary—from airline safety to the air traffic controller shortage. And, we look ahead at his growing alarm over AI’s potential to destabilize American society. Finally, we discuss 2028 election plans: What he’s weighing, what it would take to run again, and whether America is ready for another Buttigieg campaign. 🐝 This podcast was recorded from the Mo News office at ⁠ Industrious at Midtown on 50th St. ⁠ Mosheh Oinounou ( ⁠ @mosheh ⁠ ) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022.

Welcome to The Josh Lafazan Show! In today’s episode, we’re diving into a stunning development in the 2028 Democratic presidential race. Pete Buttigieg has surged ahead in recent polls, surpassing Vice President Kamala Harris, who had been the frontrunner for months. What does this mean for the Democratic Party, and how does Buttigieg stack up against potential Republican contenders? Here’s what we’ll break down: Why Pete Buttigieg is surging in the polls Kamala Harris’s loss of momentum Key issues and challenges in the 2028 race Potential Republican candidates Other Democratic candidates to watch Let’s dive in! 👇 Segment 1: Pete Buttigieg’s Surge in 2028 Polls Pete Buttigieg is now leading the Democratic primary field, a dramatic shift from earlier polls that had Kamala Harris comfortably ahead. But why is Buttigieg gaining so much traction? His Surge in Polls : Recent polls show Buttigieg outpacing Harris and other potential candidates. His rise has been fueled by younger voters, moderates, and swing-state Democrats looking for fresh leadership. The Power of His Message : Buttigieg has positioned himself as a progressive yet pragmatic figure, drawing in voters seeking solutions to issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality. His ability to unite Americans while pushing for progressive policies gives him broad appeal. Segment 2: Kamala Harris Losing Ground While Harris was once seen as the clear frontrunner, she’s faced significant challenges that have led to a dip in her polling numbers. Harris’s Struggles : Harris has a strong base but her visibility has been overshadowed by the Biden administration’s challenges. Many Democrats are now questioning whether Harris can define her own political identity ahead of 2028. Her Challenges : As the first woman of color to be Vice President, Harris has faced immense pressure, and while she holds significant support, Buttigieg’s rise suggests some Democrats are seeking a new face for 2028. Segment 3: Key Issues in the 2028 Race As we look ahead to 2028, there are several key issues that will shape the race: Healthcare : Buttigieg supports universal coverage and healthcare reform, appealing to both progressives and moderates who want accessible care. Climate Change : Buttigieg’s climate-focused policies will resonate with young voters and those concerned about environmental issues. His experience as Transportation Secretary working on sustainable infrastructure will help. Economic Inequality : Buttigieg’s background as a former mayor gives him the experience needed to tackle income inequality at the local level and push for policies that benefit everyday Americans. National Unity and Democracy : Buttigieg’s focus on uniting Americans will be critical in swinging key battleground states. Segment 4: Likely Democratic Candidates for 2028 Buttigieg may lead the polls now, but the Democratic field is far from settled. Other names to watch include: Gavin Newsom : Governor of California, Newsom is a rising star with a strong record on climate change, healthcare reform, and handling the COVID-19 crisis. Gretchen Whitmer : Governor of Michigan, known for uniting diverse voters in a swing state and leading during the pandemic. J.B. Pritzker : Governor of Illinois, with his progressive stance on healthcare and education, Pritzker could be a strong contender. Andy Beshear : Governor of Kentucky, known for his pragmatic approach and ability to win in a red state, Beshear may attract voters seeking a moderate alternative. Segment 5: Republican Candid

Pete Buttigieg is a legitimate star in the Democratic Party. Having moved his family to Michigan there was speculation that he might run for the governor’s office or become a Senator. But he turned down both options and instead set his sights on the 2028 Presidential election. In addition to making the rounds on multiple cable shows and podcasts to help rehabilitate the image of the Democratic Party, he recently held a massive town hall in Iowa, where he was victorious in the 2020 Caucus. But who is Pete Buttigieg and why do so many people consider him a frontrunner for the Democratic ticket in ‘28? His experience as a small city mayor and single term as Transportation Secretary in the Biden Administration would still make him one of the least experienced candidates in U.S. history. So why all the attention? Resources Win The Era PAC Washington Examiner: Buttigieg high school essay praised Sanders as courageous for calling himself ‘Socialist’ UNFTR Resources Video: The Case AGAINST Buttigieg in 2028 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord . Become a member at unftr.com/memberships . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/memberships See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a new administration beginning in Washington this week, the importance of pragmatic and effective state and local officials is clearer than ever. That was the message from former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and NewDEAL alum Pete Buttigieg when he spoke at our 2024 Leaders Conference. His remarks are a vital reminder of the key role state and local policymakers play in delivering results and making everyday life better for the American people. After his opening remarks, Buttigieg, who was then appearing in his official capacity as Secretary of Transportation, joined MSNBC's Symone Sanders Townsend to look towards the future, sharing advice for how the country can move forward into a new, brighter future. This conversation is an excellent reminder of the type of leadership the country so desperately needs at this moment. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:04] The former secretary's insights on the importance of pragmatic and effective state and local officials. [01:55] Why our work is not done and some key areas to consider. [03:10] "The Big Deal" from the Biden-Harris Administration. [06:50] Why former Secretary Buttigieg believes that local leaders are so important for the present moment. [07:30] Staying abreast of the different ways that people get their information. [10:30] Understanding the nature of infrastructure work. [14:25] Buttigieg's posture towards his successor. [17:00] What a new administration might mean for federal infrastructure funds. [19:27] Insight into former Secretary Buttigieg's journey to the Department of Transportation. [22:35] Why a lot of his work in infrastructure and transportation has been nonpartisan in nature. [24:13] The term middle class and why it has become largely meaningless. [29:08] What is most important: making the lives of everyday people better.

Hi Podsquad. Today, we’re honored to sit down with Pete Buttigieg to discuss the four magic words that could change the election and the hearts of those you love. Discover: -The powerful antidote to the political tribalism dividing families and communities -How to make love your guiding force in the crucial days ahead -The surprising truth about why even Pete is exhausted by constant political talk—and how to finally move past it -Why politics are personal, and how they impact every part of our lives More on Pete: The first openly gay person confirmed to serve in a president’s Cabinet, Buttigieg previously served two terms as mayor of his hometown, South Bend, Indiana, where he worked across the aisle to transform the city’s future. Household income grew, poverty fell, and unemployment was cut in half.He also served for seven years as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, taking a leave of absence from the mayor’s office for a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014.The son of Joseph Buttigieg, who immigrated to the United States from Malta, and Jennifer Anne Montgomery, a fifth-generation Hoosier, Buttigieg is a graduate of Harvard University and Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar and completed a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. He lives with his husband Chasten, their two children, Gus and Penelope, and their dog.

Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker’s spirited statements during the ceremonial roll call has made him one of the breakout stars of the Democratic National Convention. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren Mayk spoke with Mayor Walker about his late sister and how she inspired him. She also spoke with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about Harris and the importance of Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: Interview with Pete Buttigieg :38 – The importance of Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election 1:18 – Kamala Harris’ stance on fracking 2:05 – Whether or not a Harris administration would be similar to Biden’s administration 3:02 – What the VP nomination process was like 4:05 – Attacks on Tim Walz’s military service 4:21 – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 5:16 – Whether or not Buttigieg would serve in a Harris administration 5:31 – Whether or not Buttigieg would run for president again Interview with Mayor Dwan B. Walker 6:15 – Mayor Walker introduces himself and Aliquippa 6:30 – What the roll call was like at the DNC 7:03 – How Walker’s late sister inspired him 9:43 – What it’s like to nominate a Black woman as president 11:08 – What made Walker attend the DNC 11:34 – What Walker represents 12:33 – Speaking with voters about the economy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.