Pete Buttigieg, the first gay Cabinet secretary, is being replaced by an anti-gay former reality star and Fox News host

President-elect Donald Trump announced in late November that Sean Duffy, a former republican Congressman and Fox business Hosts with a long list of opponents LGBTQ+ Rights, will replace Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary if confirmed. Buttigieg, the first non-gay Cabinet secretary confirmed by the U.S. Senate, provided visibility and advancement in his role during his time as president by championing clean energy initiatives and equitable infrastructure development Joe Biden.

Duffy’s nomination marks a significant shift in tone and policy direction. A reality TV Personality who first rose to fame on MTV The Real World: BostonDuffy switched to policy with a conservative platform characterized by opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedoms.

During his eight years in Congress, Duffy voted for Trump’s ban Transgender People who serve in the Militaryagainst it Marriage equalityand abstained from voting on the Equality Act, which would have provided federal protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. He even introduced a law banning fetal genetic testing to determine sexual orientation, even though there is no scientific basis for such testing.

While Buttigieg made headlines for deftly handling contentious issues like supply chain disruptions and championing electric vehicles, Duffy is best known for his controversial views on green energy and his steadfast opposition to climate-conscious transportation initiatives. As a host on Fox Business, Duffy regularly criticized the push for electric vehicles, a cornerstone of Buttigieg’s efforts to modernize the country’s infrastructure.

Buttigieg prioritized inclusivity and equity, ensuring that underserved communities were included in transportation projects and moving the country toward a cleaner, greener future.

Duffy’s appointment could reverse much of the progress made during Buttigieg’s term. For a community whose rights have been under attack, Duffy’s nomination is more than a personnel change – it’s a sign that a darker political climate is taking hold Washington.