Trump says he's fine with an investigation of USPS chief Louis DeJoy for alleged illegal donations

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published 8 September 2020

President Trump said Monday he's fine with an investigation of his new postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, after five former employees told The Washington Post that DeJoy encouraged or pressured them into donating to Republican candidates then reimbursed them through bonuses. That would break at least two serious campaign finance laws, though because DeJoy sold the company, New Breed Logistics, in 2014, statues of limitation would probably prevent his criminal prosecution in federal court.

"Sure, sure, let the investigations go," Trump told reporters when asked about the DeJoy allegations. He called the postmaster general a "very honest guy" but agreed he should lose his job "if something can be proven that he did something wrong." DeJoy was already under fire for changes that slowed mail delivery.

DeJoy spokesman Monty Hagler told the Post the postmaster general wasn't aware any of his former employees had felt pressured to make donations, though he did not specifically address the donation reimbursement allegations, saying only that DeJoy "believes that he has always followed campaign fundraising laws and regulations." According to a Post review of campaign finance documents, New Breed employees donated at least $1 million to GOP candidates when DeJoy headed the company from 2000 to 2014.

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The five-year statute of limitations means DeJoy won't face time in federal prison, and the lack of a Federal Election Commission quorum effectively shields him from federal civil charges. But what he is alleged to have done is also illegal in North Carolina, where New Breed is based, and there is no statute of limitations on the state charges.

House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said late Monday her committee will investigate the DeJoy allegations and whether he lied under oath. She also urged the USPS Board of Governors to immediately suspend him. The chairman of the USPS board, Robert Duncan, is listed as a director on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) Senate Leadership Fund super PAC.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.