Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg disclosed on Friday that he was the target of a politically motivated hoax involving false allegations of a serious crime, which led authorities to impose restrictions preventing him from seeing his young children. In a detailed post on his Substack, Buttigieg described the incident as one of the darkest moments in his life.

According to Buttigieg, an anonymous report triggered an investigation by Michigan law enforcement and Child Protective Services, who visited his home and questioned his 4-year-old twins. The inquiry, which lasted approximately 24 hours, resulted in law enforcement ordering him to stay away from his children temporarily.

Buttigieg expressed ongoing concern about the impact the false accusation has had on his family. While providing no specifics about the nature of the allegations, he emphasized that they were baseless and part of a politically motivated effort to harm him. The former secretary’s account highlights the emotional toll such accusations can exact, even when unsubstantiated.

Authorities have not publicly commented on the investigation or the veracity of the claims. Buttigieg’s experience underscores the challenges public figures may face when targeted by anonymous allegations, and the potential consequences those claims can have on personal and family affairs.