(WWJ/AP) She's jumping ship with less than two weeks to go.
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has become the second Cabinet secretary to resign a day after a pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
In a resignation letter Thursday, the Michigan-native DeVos blamed President Donald Trump for inflaming tensions in the violent assault on the seat of the nation’s democracy.
She wrote:
"The eyes of America's children and students—the rising generation who will inherit the republic we leave them — are watching what is unfolding in Washington today. We must set a better example for them, and we must teach them the solemn obligations and duties that come with the title 'American.' The peaceful transfer of power is what separates American representative democracy from banana republics.
"Congress assembled today to fulfill its Constitutional duty to certify the election of the next President of the United States, the same Constitution I swore an oath to support and defend. An angry mob cannot be allowed to attack our Capitol and impede this process. The disruptions and violence must end, the law must be upheld, and the work of the people must go on.
— Secretary Betsy DeVos"
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Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao tendered her resignation earlier Thursday. News of DeVos’ resignation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
In a farewell letter to Congress earlier this week, DeVos urged lawmakers to reject policies supported by President-elect Joe Biden, and to protect Trump administration policies that Biden has promised to eliminate.
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