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Buttigieg says family targeted in 'politically motivated hoax'
By Sarah Davis and The Hill at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Friday that he was briefly separated from his 4-year-old twin children after an anonymous caller reported false accusations to Child Protective Services (CPS).
Why this matters in The El Paso
The incident involving former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his family raises concerns about the potential for abuse of the child welfare system in El Paso County. If false accusations can lead to the brief separation of a high-profile family from their children, it's troubling to consider the impact on local families who may not have the same resources or public platform. El Paso residents should be aware of the potential for politically motivated hoaxes to affect not just public figures, but also their own neighbors and community members. The incident may prompt local officials to review protocols for handling anonymous tips to Child Protective Services, to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and ensure that the system is used to protect children, not as a tool for harassment or intimidation.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Friday that he was briefly separated from his 4-year-old twin children after an anonymous caller reported false accusations to Child Protective Services (CPS).
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sarah Davis and The Hill at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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