Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao jumped to the defense of her brother-in-law, Gordon Hartogensis, who was tapped by President Trump to lead a federal pension agency last month.

“It is true that he is my brother-in-law, but Secretary Acosta made the selection and hired him, and I think he's an excellent choice," Chao admitted during a Thursday interview with the Washington Post.

Chao’s revelation came after the Post’s Robert Costa had asked her if she, and her husband Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, played a hand in securing his nomination.

"I don't think anybody's relations or relatives should be held against them, certainly not me," she continued, while boasting his accomplishments and independence.

Trump nominated Hartogensis last month to head the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, a federal agency designed to protect private-sector pension plans with federal insurance.

