Like many norms in the Trump era, the prohibition on federal employees engaging in political activity while at work has been routinely tested by this administration.

FOIA to the Department of Transportation seeking photographs, videos, or audio recordings taken on March 29, 2017, following reports that prior to a planned 2017 trip to China, Secretary Chao’s office asked federal employees to include her family, who operates the Foremost Group, in meetings with Chinese government officials.

Transportation Secretary Chao’s actions on behalf of her family’s shipping company included a private photo session with her father at the Department of Transportation as well as a speaking engagement.