WASHINGTON, D.C.  — Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) today called on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the production and dissemination of a partisan propaganda video sent by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to airports across the country. Earlier this month, the video, which features DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, began playing at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.

“Instead of focusing on ensuring that hardworking employees are back at work and receiving their paychecks, the Trump administration has decided to spend its time and taxpayer dollars on political finger pointing. This sort of political pandering serves no legitimate government purpose,” said Virginia Canter, DDF’s chief counsel and director for ethics and anticorruption. “American taxpayers should not be forced to listen to such drivel or pay for it. The GAO must work quickly to investigate this matter and there must be accountability.”

By recording this partisan message during the government shutdown, the letter notes it appears DHS has violated the Antideficiency Act and longstanding prohibitions on the use of federal funds for political propaganda.

Read the full letter HERE.

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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.