DOT watchdog should investigate Secretary Sean Duffy’s promotion of his wife’s book

The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) must investigate whether Secretary Sean Duffy violated ethics rules and federal law by using his official DOT social media account to promote his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy’s new book, according to a complaint submitted by CREW.

According to recent public reports and social media posts, Secretary Duffy used his official X account, @SecDuffy, to repost his wife’s post promoting her book, All American Patriotism, including the link where the book can be purchased.

The Office of Government Ethics’ (OGE) Standards of Ethical Conduct for Executive Branch Employees clearly state that executive branch officials “may not use their public office for their own private gain; for the endorsement of any product, service, or enterprise (except as otherwise permitted by this part or other applicable law or regulation); or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity.” 

Book endorsements are one of the specific examples of potential misuse of position that OGE had in mind when it made these rules. In guidance to agencies and executive branch programs, OGE explained that employees who are entrusted with the operation of official social media accounts must prevent unauthorized use of those accounts and avoid improper endorsements of private organizations on them. 

The DOT’s social media accounts are meant to convey important information about the agency’s efforts to improve transportation across the country, not to elevate the Secretary’s wife’s writing career and provide greater exposure to a new audience of potential buyers. 

Even if there were a legitimate reason for DOT to feature products related to the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, selecting only one book to highlight, which happens to be written and sold by Secretary Duffy’s wife, shows preferential treatment that affects his own financial interests. Such treatment violates OGE regulations that prohibit any employee from acting on behalf of the agency in certain matters that would directly affect their financial interests, including those of their spouse.

This complaint is the second that CREW has filed regarding Secretary Duffy’s potential violations of the misuse of position regulations this year. His use of his office for private gain shows a pattern of taking advantage of the privilege of public service to create opportunities for his family. To maintain the integrity of the agency and the public’s trust that the agency is operating in the best interests of all Americans, not just ones in power, it is imperative that OIG thoroughly investigate Secretary Duffy’s actions and take any needed corrective action.

Photo of Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy by Gage Skidmore under Creative Commons license