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Watchdog group asks Transportation IG to probe Duffy’s ‘road trip’ with family

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by Ashleigh Fields - 05/11/26 5:39 PM ET

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by Ashleigh Fields - 05/11/26 5:39 PM ET

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A watchdog group on Monday asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General to probe Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s participation in the reality series entitled, “The Great American Road Trip.”

The group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), urged the IG to investigate who paid for Duffy and his family’s participation in the travel documented on the show, whether the secretary provided payments for reimbursement involving personal expenses and if he violated any federal regulations or laws by participating in the filming of the reality program.

The show follows Duffy and his wife, Fox News anchor Rachel Campos-Duffy, as they visit historic landmarks including Civil War battlegrounds, the Mayflower landing site and Yellowstone National Park.

CREW alleges the venture was sponsored by Toyota, United Airlines, Boeing and other members of the transportation industry that are regulated by DOT, and that this violates federal law.

“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.

“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,” they added.

DOT spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore said The Great American Road Trip Inc., an independent non-profit, paid for production costs including gas, car rentals, lodging and activities.

Last year, The Great American Road Trip Inc. partnered with 19 vehicle vendors to host its inaugural Great American Road Trip Expo at the Department of Transportation, which has also raised questions about the ethics of Duffy’s interaction with companies he regulates.

Sizemore said that no taxpayer dollars were spent on Duffy’s family during the filiming of the show, noting that the family is not expected to receive any salary or production royalties.

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

“Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary is part of Secretary’s Duffy 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,” Sizemore told The Hill.

“The Great American Road Trip Inc is an independent organization. How and who they accept donations from in furtherance of their mission to celebrate America’s 250th birthday is their decision,” he added.

Still, CREW has asserted that Duffy is responsible for avoiding any actions that can cause speculation of impropriety.

“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,” CREW President Donald Sherman said in a statement.

“The office of the Inspector General must thoroughly investigate Secretary Duffy’s participation in this project,” Sherman added.

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