In an extraordinary exchange that has ignited debates within political circles, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made a bold claim about the achievements of the Department of Transportation (DOT) under President Donald Trump’s second term. Duffy asserted that in the first 100 days of the administration, the department had accomplished more than former Secretary Pete Buttigieg and President Joe Biden did over the course of four years. The statement, made in response to a post by Buttigieg himself, has triggered a heated discussion about the direction of transportation policy and the legacies of both figures.

Duffy’s statement not only criticized Buttigieg’s tenure as Secretary of Transportation but also called attention to what he described as the failures of the Biden administration, especially regarding issues related to infrastructure and national priorities. The retweet and his subsequent remarks have drawn considerable attention from both supporters and critics of the Biden administration, as well as from those who back Trump’s vision for the country’s future.

Duffy’s Retweet of Buttigieg’s Post: A Pointed Critique

The exchange began when Buttigieg shared a post reflecting on the first 100 days of President Biden’s term in office. In the post, Buttigieg pointed to the challenges facing Americans, including rising prices, crashing retirement accounts, and the broken promises made by the Biden administration. He also urged Americans to continue voicing their concerns, calling on the public to demand better results. The post was accompanied by a video of Buttigieg speaking on the issues at hand.

Duffy, however, wasted no time in responding to Buttigieg’s remarks, retweeting the post with a sharp critique of the former transportation secretary’s legacy. “We’ve achieved more in 100 days than Buttigieg and Biden achieved in 4 years,” Duffy declared. He went on to accuse Buttigieg of failing to deliver on his promises during his tenure as Transportation Secretary. “Pete appears unburdened by no longer being a cabinet secretary. Not one word on transportation or infrastructure because he got nothing done,” Duffy added.

Duffy’s statement struck a nerve with many, especially given the high profile of both Buttigieg and Biden’s administration. Buttigieg’s time as Secretary of Transportation was marked by his efforts to push climate-focused transportation policies and infrastructure investments as part of the broader Green New Deal agenda. However, Duffy’s retort pointed to what he described as missed opportunities and the lack of significant progress in critical areas of transportation development. According to Duffy, Buttigieg’s tenure, instead of focusing on tangible infrastructure improvements, became embroiled in political debates, leaving much of the nation’s infrastructure needs unmet.

The Role of Green New Deal Policies Under Buttigieg

A major part of the debate surrounding Buttigieg’s legacy centers on the policies he championed during his time as Secretary of Transportation. His tenure was heavily focused on implementing aspects of the Green New Deal, which included substantial investments in green transportation and efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. While these initiatives were seen as progressive and necessary by many environmental advocates, they were also met with skepticism by critics who questioned whether they would provide immediate solutions to the country’s deteriorating infrastructure.

One of the key criticisms leveled against Buttigieg’s tenure is the perceived lack of emphasis on traditional infrastructure issues such as road repairs, bridge reconstruction, and the modernization of the country’s aging transportation systems. Many of Buttigieg’s critics, including Duffy, argue that while the push for green policies was important, it often sidelined the more urgent, immediate needs of the nation’s infrastructure. The result, according to Duffy, was a stagnant transportation policy agenda that failed to deliver meaningful results for the American people.

Duffy’s remarks come in the midst of a broader political battle over infrastructure policy. As the Trump administration begins its second term, Duffy has positioned himself as a key advocate for infrastructure reform, focusing on practical solutions for improving roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. Under Duffy’s leadership, the DOT has emphasized a more traditional approach, one that prioritizes the rebuilding of America’s physical infrastructure while also taking steps to reduce the influence of what Duffy calls the “Green New Scam” and “DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, which he believes have distracted from the department’s primary mission.

Trump’s Own Criticisms of Buttigieg

Duffy’s criticism of Buttigieg also echoes the remarks made by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Trump, known for his sharp rhetoric, did not hold back when discussing Buttigieg’s record as Secretary of Transportation. During a press briefing following a high-profile aircraft collision in Washington, D.C., Trump called Buttigieg “a disaster” and claimed that he had been a “disaster” both as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and as Secretary of Transportation.

“He was a disaster as a mayor. He ran his city into the ground. And he’s a disaster now,” Trump remarked. His comments, which were made in front of the press, were part of a broader critique of Buttigieg’s leadership. Trump added that Buttigieg was “just a good line of bulls—,” referring to the former mayor’s political style rather than his actual accomplishments in office.

These scathing remarks, coupled with Duffy’s pointed critique, have reignited the debate about Buttigieg’s legacy and whether his tenure truly delivered for the American people. Buttigieg’s supporters have defended his work, citing his efforts to secure funding for infrastructure projects and his role in pushing the Biden administration’s ambitious climate goals. However, his critics, including Duffy and Trump, continue to argue that Buttigieg failed to make substantial progress on key issues like road and bridge repairs, which remain urgent concerns for many Americans.

Buttigieg’s Political Future: Is a Comeback Possible?

While Duffy and Trump have been outspoken in their criticisms of Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary has not been completely silent. In recent months, Buttigieg has shifted his focus to a different aspect of politics, speaking out about the Democratic Party’s need to improve its outreach to voters and reconsider its approach to issues like economic inequality. In March 2025, Buttigieg made headlines by announcing that he would not run for governor of Michigan or for a U.S. Senate seat in 2026. This decision, which took many by surprise, has sparked speculation about his future political plans.

Buttigieg, who gained national prominence during his 2020 presidential campaign, had been seen as a rising star within the Democratic Party. However, his retreat from statewide and national races has left many wondering whether he still has a future in politics. Some believe that his failure to run for higher office could signal the end of his political career, while others see it as a strategic move to focus on other opportunities.

Duffy’s Bold Vision for the Future of Transportation

Amidst the ongoing criticism of Buttigieg’s tenure, Duffy has continued to assert that the Trump administration’s approach to transportation will deliver results that the previous administration failed to achieve. Under his leadership, the DOT has placed a renewed emphasis on traditional infrastructure projects, such as fixing roads and bridges, while also ensuring that green policies do not overshadow the immediate needs of the American people.

“We’re going to continue to make sure the Green New Scam doesn’t take over,” Duffy said in his retweet, underscoring his commitment to focusing on tangible infrastructure solutions. “The American people deserve better than what Buttigieg and Biden delivered,” he added.

Duffy’s vision for the future of transportation is one that prioritizes infrastructure improvements while rejecting what he sees as the overreach of climate-focused policies that have often been the hallmark of the Biden administration. As the Trump administration moves forward with its second term, Duffy’s leadership of the DOT will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the country’s infrastructure policy.

The Ongoing Debate: Transportation Policy and Political Priorities

The debate over transportation policy, and the contrasting approaches of Duffy and Buttigieg, reflects broader ideological divides within American politics. On one side, there are those who believe that infrastructure investment should focus on immediate, traditional needs, such as repairing roads and bridges. On the other side, there are those who advocate for a more comprehensive approach that includes green transportation initiatives aimed at combating climate change.

As the debate continues, it is clear that the future of American transportation policy will be shaped by the clash between these two visions. Duffy’s bold assertions about his department’s early successes suggest that the Trump administration will continue to advocate for a more pragmatic, results-oriented approach. Whether this will resonate with the American public, or whether Buttigieg’s vision of a greener, more sustainable transportation system will win out, remains to be seen.

Conclusion: A Political Showdown Over Infrastructure

The clash between Sean Duffy and Pete Buttigieg has highlighted the deep divisions in American politics over the future of transportation and infrastructure. Duffy’s critique of Buttigieg’s record and the Trump administration’s ongoing focus on traditional infrastructure projects mark a sharp contrast to Buttigieg’s climate-focused approach. As the political battle over infrastructure policy continues, the outcome of this debate will have lasting implications for the direction of the nation’s transportation systems. Whether the American people will rally behind Duffy’s vision or embrace Buttigieg’s legacy remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the battle is far from over.