Trump says he's fine with an investigation of USPS chief Louis DeJoy for alleged illegal donations
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published