“The attitude that your are the most important person is self-destructive.”
—Louis DeJoy, on Donald Trump and his reality show “The Apprentice” (2005).
Postmaster General and CEO of the USPS
June 15, 2020 –
The first postmaster general in over 20 years with no prior experience in the United States Postal Service, Louis DeJoy does however have plenty of experience as the CEO of a logistics company that is a subcontractor and competitor to the USPS, and in which DeJoy retains significant investments in.
DeJoy short tenure as postmaster is already rife with controversy and may have already spawned an investigation into his actions as a Republican donor prior to his appointment. Upon assuming the position to head the only Constitutionally mandated federal agency, DeJoy immediately effected policies in an apparent bid to slow the delivery of mail just prior to an election – an election which is expected to have record mail-in voting, as a result of ongoing coronavirus concerns.
Estimated net worth (2020): ~$100,000,000
Notables
- Used illegal “straw-donor” fundraising techniques by coercing New Breed employees into large political contributions, which would then be repaid to the employee through payroll bonuses.
Louis DeJoy’s rise as GOP fundraiser was powered by contributions from company workers who were later reimbursed, former employees say | Washington Post (9.6.20)
- Appears to be redirecting parts of USPS’s contracted expenses to XPO Logistics, a company which DeJoy still retains at least $30,000,000 worth of investments in.
Postal Service Has Paid DeJoy’s Former Company $286 Million Since 2013 | New York Times (9.2.20)
- Implemented sweeping changes to USPS operations, including eliminating overtime, breaking down mail-sorting machines, and consolidating leadership roles to allow himself more control. After pubic outcry, DeJoy agreed to postpone some of the measures until after the election, but refused to restore mail-sorting machines or mailboxes that had already been removed.
Postal Service halts some operational changes amid outcry, lawsuits before November election | Chicago Tribune (8.18.20)
- Donated more than $440,000 to the Trump Victory Fund in 2016, and over a million dollars to Republican candidates and groups in 2018 alone.
Donor Profile: Louis DeJoy | OpenSecrets.org (8.21.20)
