A government watchdog group, Americans for Public Trust (APT), has initiated legal action against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), accusing the agency of withholding information regarding Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's utilization of private government jets. APT claims it has submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking details on the frequency, destinations, and associated costs of Buttigieg's travel on the FAA's small jet fleet. Despite acknowledging receipt of the requests and setting multiple deadlines, the FAA has failed to produce the records, prompting APT to file a lawsuit.

APT's executive director, Caitlin Sutherland, criticized Buttigieg for what she described as the misuse of taxpayer funds for extravagant travel arrangements. She emphasized the public's right to know how their money is being spent and expressed frustration with the FAA's lack of transparency and adherence to FOIA regulations. The lawsuit alleges that over 100 days have passed since the FAA acknowledged receiving the requests, and the agency has now indefinitely postponed providing the records. APT contends that the few documents the FAA has released were already produced in response to a separate FOIA request and do not fully address their inquiries. The lawsuit aims to compel the FAA to comply with APT's FOIA requests and promptly disclose all relevant, non-exempt records.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during an event in Washington, D.C.

The lawsuit comes six months after a Fox News Digital report revealed that Buttigieg, a strong advocate for climate action, had taken at least 18 flights on taxpayer-funded FAA jets between early 2021 and mid-2022. One example cited in the report was a roundtrip flight from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas to promote public works projects. Another instance involved Buttigieg using a government jet to travel to several states, many considered politically swing states, to highlight federal infrastructure grants. In addition to Buttigieg's trips, his senior advisers reportedly took five other flights on the FAA jets without him, bringing the total to at least 23 flights.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (left) and Chasten Buttigieg attend an event in The Hague, Netherlands.

The December report prompted the Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General to launch an investigation into Buttigieg's use of the FAA fleet. A DOT spokesperson welcomed the audit, aiming to address what they called "false, outlandish, and cynical claims" about the Secretary's travel habits, while emphasizing that Buttigieg primarily flies commercially. The FAA has also delayed responses to a separate FOIA request filed by Fox News Digital regarding Buttigieg's jet usage. The controversy surrounding Buttigieg's travel follows previous criticism of other officials, including Elaine Chao, Buttigieg's predecessor, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, both of whom faced scrutiny for their use of government-funded air travel.

Buttigieg and his advisers have taken at least 23 flights on taxpayer-funded government jets since taking office.