WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) today urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate whether the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Secretary Scott Turner violated federal law by publishing partisan political statements, including “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government,” on HUD’s official website.

In a formal letter sent to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, DDF cited HUD’s use of full-page pop-ups and banners blaming the “Radical Left” for the shutdown, messages that also appeared on Secretary Turner’s official social media account and were reposted by HUD’s own channels. These communications serve no legitimate agency purpose, misused taxpayer dollars, and appear to violate the Anti-Deficiency Act’s prohibition on using appropriated funds for partisan propaganda, the complaint stated.

“The purpose of HUD’s website is to help Americans find affordable housing and protect their rights. It is not a campaign website or a tool to advance a political party’s agenda,” said Virginia Canter, Ethics and Anticorruption Chief Counsel and Director at Democracy Defenders Fund. “The Trump administration, however, turned a government agency website into a partisan billboard. It’s an abuse of power, a waste of taxpayer money, and appears to be a flat-out violation of the law.”

HUD’s statements appear to have been provided for the sole purpose of blaming President Trump’s political opponents for a government shutdown. However, for fiscal year 2025, Congress has provided that “[n]o part of any appropriation contained in this or any other Act shall be used directly or indirectly, including by private contractor, for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States not heretofore authorized by Congress.” This provision prohibits HUD from using appropriations for unauthorized publicity or propaganda purposes. GAO opinions explain that communications are considered purely partisan if “they are completely devoid of any connection with official functions and completely political in nature.”

The complaint outlines how HUD’s conduct misuses public resources and undermines trust in government at a moment when Americans most need reliable access to federal services.

Read the full complaint HERE.

# # #

Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.