False CPS Report Targets Buttigieg Family, Sparks Bipartisan Support
In an incident that has garnered widespread attention, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed that he and his children were subjected to a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation following a false anonymous report. The event unfolded while Buttigieg and his family were residing in Traverse City, Michigan.
Detailing the harrowing experience in a Substack post, Buttigieg recounted how a police officer and CPS worker visited his home, informing him of allegations that suggested his children were at risk. Consequently, his twin four-year-olds underwent forensic interviews without the presence of family members. During this period, Buttigieg was not allowed to be alone with his children, who were temporarily placed with their grandparents.
“The twenty-four hours until they returned are among the darkest hours of my life,” Buttigieg stated, emphasizing the emotional toll of the situation.
The Michigan State Police, responding to inquiries, confirmed they had looked into an anonymous report and concluded that the allegations were unfounded.
Pete Buttigieg, known for his ascent in the Democratic Party and as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, first captured national attention with his historic 2020 presidential campaign as the first openly gay major party candidate.
Though the motives behind the false report remain unclear, Buttigieg noted the timing coincided with Pride Month and shortly after he shared family photos on social media for Father’s Day. “It’s not lost on me that this happened soon after we shared photos of our family on social media for Father’s Day,” he remarked. “Or that this occurred during a month meant to make families like ours feel welcome and safe.”
The incident has sparked bipartisan support, with Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisc., publicly expressing sympathy, saying, “this has happened to our family and I agree, this is horrible.” He further added, “I hope they find the folks that did this and send them to prison.” NPR has not confirmed Van Orden’s claims independently.
In his remarks, Buttigieg shared the profound emotional impact the situation had on him, saying, “I cannot describe the mix of rage and sadness that I feel at the idea that someone brought our children into this. They are four years old. Four. They do not know or care what a Democrat or a Republican is. They don’t know how politics works. They don’t know about hate.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
