Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Sunday responded to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who mocked Buttigieg for taking parental leave after the birth of his children.
What he's saying: "I'm not going to apologize to Tucker Carlson or anyone else to taking care of our premature twins," Buttigieg told CNN's "State of the Union."
- "The work we are doing is joyful, fulfilling, important work, it's important work and it's work that every American ought to be able to do when they welcome a new child into their family," Buttigieg added.
Catch up fast: Carlson mocked Buttigieg on his show, saying the secretary was "trying to figure out how to breastfeed" after Politico reported Buttigieg had been on leave since mid-August.
- Carlson’s comment sparked pushback from Democratic lawmakers and administration aides.
Buttigieg said every American parent should be able to take parental leave after welcoming a new child, and advocated for the family leave measure in President Biden's $3.5 trillion spending package.
- "I campaigned on that. So did the president," Buttigieg said. "It's past time to make it possible for every American mother and father to take care of their children when a new child arrives in the family."
Worth noting: Buttigieg said his deputy at the Department of Transportation, Polly Trottenberg, is filling in for him when he's not available, though he has continued to stay engaged.
- "When you take a job like mine, you understand and accept that you will have to be available 24/7 depending on what's going on," Buttigieg said.
- "You will have to engage. I did, even if that meant taking a phone call or making a decision from a hospital room. I am so thankful for the phenomenal work my colleagues at the Department of Transportation have done and are doing."