CREW Files Complaint Against Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Over 'Great American Road Trip' Funding

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy filmed a cross-country family reality series titled "The Great American Road Trip" ahead of America's 250th birthday, and the trailer drew backlash as gas prices rose to their highest level since July 2022.

“Transportation Secretary Duffy filmed a reality show, funded by firms he regulates”

NPR

NPR reported that production costs were covered by a nonprofit, The Great American Road Trip Inc., whose sponsor list includes travel-related companies such as Toyota, Boeing and United Airlines with ties to the Department of Transportation.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

On Monday, Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with Transportation's Office of Inspector General, accusing Duffy of violating federal gift and travel rules and calling for an investigation.

CREW president Donald Sherman told NPR that "You have everyday Americans who are struggling with the price of gas" while the cabinet secretary announced a family trip that appeared funded by industries his department is overseeing.

CREW said Duffy’s participation in the reality show production over several months may have violated federal gift and travel rules, and it urged the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General to investigate.

In its complaint, CREW alleged the venture was sponsored by private companies regulated by DOT, including Toyota, United Airlines and Boeing, and it questioned whether Duffy’s official time was being used for public purposes.

Cleveland 13 News

CREW also cited federal ethics rules, saying the federal gift ban prohibits executive branch officers or employees from soliciting or accepting anything of value from an entity involved with their agency.

CREW president Donald K. Sherman argued that "Government employees are responsible for protecting public trust by avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest," and said Duffy "failed to do that in this instance."

DOT spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore told The Hill that "no taxpayer dollars were spent on Duffy’s family" during the filming of the show, and said the family was not expected to receive any salary or production royalties.

“"no taxpayer dollars were spent on Duffy’s family"”

The Hill

Sizemore said career ethics and budget officials at the Department of Transportation reviewed and approved both Duffy’s participation and individual travel in accordance with federal rules.

In a separate account, The Hill reported that CREW urged the inspector general to probe who paid for Duffy and his family’s participation and whether Duffy provided payments for reimbursement involving personal expenses.

Sizemore also told The Hill that "Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary is part of Secretary’s Duffy official duties," and that on brief stops the secretary conducted additional visits like touring air traffic control towers and assessing port infrastructure.