A government ethics watchdog formally requested on Monday that the Department of Transportation's Inspector General investigate Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's involvement in the reality television series The Great American Road Trip.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint arguing that the program, which features Duffy and his wife, Fox News anchor Rachel Campos-Duffy, visiting historic U.S. sites, raises multiple ethical red flags. The group wants the IG to determine who covered costs for the family's travel, whether Duffy improperly used official time, and if he violated federal ethics rules by participating in a show backed by companies he regulates.
The series documents the Duffys touring landmarks such as Civil War battlefields, the Mayflower landing site, and Yellowstone National Park. CREW alleges that sponsors including Toyota, United Airlines, and Boeing—all entities subject to DOT oversight—financed the venture, which could constitute a breach of federal gift and conflict-of-interest laws.
“Secretary Duffy’s participation in a promotion of the privately sponsored ‘Great American Road Trip’ raises questions about whether his official time is being used for public purposes, whether he accepted or solicited gifts from companies with businesses subject to regulation by the Department, the appropriate use of government travel and the potential promotion of private products,” the group wrote in its complaint.
CREW added: “Therefore, CREW asks DOT OIG to use its authority to investigate any misuse of federal funds and staff or whether the secretary violated the standards of ethical conduct or other federal ethics laws by his participation in the privately sponsored promotional road trip with his family, as well as whether sufficient internal controls are in place to prevent future violations.”
DOT spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore responded that The Great American Road Trip Inc., an independent nonprofit, covered production costs including gas, car rentals, lodging, and activities. He stressed that no taxpayer money was used for the family's participation and that Duffy and his family will not receive any salary or royalties from the show.
Sizemore also noted that career ethics and budget officials at DOT reviewed and approved Duffy's involvement and individual travel under federal rules. “Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary is part of Secretary Duffy’s official duties and The Great American Road Trip is one aspect in support of those responsibilities. On these brief stops, the Secretary also often conducted additional visits like touring air traffic control towers and assessing port infrastructure. Like with any other official engagements, the Department covered the flight,” he said.
He added that the nonprofit is independent and that decisions about its donors are its own. However, last year, The Great American Road Trip Inc. partnered with 19 vehicle vendors to host its inaugural expo at DOT headquarters, which has further fueled concerns about Duffy's interactions with companies he regulates.
CREW President Donald Sherman countered that government officials must avoid even the appearance of a conflict. “Government employees are responsible for protecting public trust by avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Secretary Duffy failed to do that in this instance. The office of the Inspector General must thoroughly investigate Secretary Duffy’s participation in this project,” he said.
The complaint adds to a series of ethics controversies surrounding Trump administration officials. In related developments, House Ethics has ramped up its probe into Cory Mills amid dating violence allegations, and the NTSB is investigating a deadly runway accident at Denver Airport.
