History of Louis DeJoy in Timeline

Louis DeJoy is an American businessman who served as the 75th U.S. Postmaster General from May 2020 to March 2025. Prior to this role, he founded New Breed Logistics and was a major Republican Party donor and fundraiser for Donald Trump. His appointment was notable as he was the first Postmaster General since 1992 without prior USPS experience. He was also the first to come directly from a competitor to the USPS. Controversy arose due to potential conflicts of interest stemming from his companies holding active service contracts with the USPS during his tenure.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

June 20, 1957: Birth of Louis DeJoy

On June 20, 1957, Louis DeJoy was born. He would later become the 75th U.S. Postmaster General.

Others born on this day/year

1983: CEO of New Breed Logistics

In 1983, Louis DeJoy became CEO of New Breed Logistics based in High Point, North Carolina.

1992: First Postmaster General since 1992 without USPS experience

In 1992, Louis DeJoy was the first postmaster general since 1992 without any previous experience in the USPS and the first postmaster general in U.S. history to come directly from the board of a privately owned competitor to the public–private partnership of the USPS entity.

1992: Noncompetitive contracts for New Breed Logistics

Starting in 1992, a 2001 audit by the USPS inspector general found that the USPS had given New Breed Logistics noncompetitive contracts of more than $300 million.

1999: Reports to Congress on payments to New Breed

In 1999, reports to Congress stated that $9 million and $33 million, paid separately to New Breed, could have been 'put to better use'.

2000: Straw Donor Scheme at New Breed

Between 2000 and 2014, 124 employees at New Breed gave a combined total over $1 million. Many of these people had not donated before they worked at the company and have not done so since leaving, according to reports in September 2020.

2000: USPS Responds to findings regarding noncompetitive contracts

In 2000, the VP of Operations at the USPS Paul Vogel responded to the audit findings, generally agreeing with them but added that the noncompetitive contracts might have led to other unconsidered cost savings. A separate letter from other USPS officials to the inspector general on the same date also said that the New Breed contracts helped provide the basis for other noncompetitive contracts and that they were awarded in accordance with USPS guidelines.

2001: USPS audit of New Breed Logistics

In 2001, a USPS inspector general audit found that USPS had awarded New Breed Logistics noncompetitive contracts exceeding $300 million since 1992, costing taxpayers an estimated $53 million. The audit questioned the awarding of these contracts and potential risks to USPS performance.

2003: Inspector General Kelly Corcoran retires

In 2003, USPS inspector general Kelly Corcoran retired after a federal investigation into abuse of authority and waste of public money.

2004: Fundraiser for George W. Bush

In 2004, Louis DeJoy helped fund President George W. Bush's reelection campaign.

2005: DeJoy and Wos purchase a mansion in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In 2005, DeJoy and Wos bought a 10,900-square-foot mansion in Greensboro, North Carolina, which has been the location of several political fundraising events.

2005: DeJoy and his wife found the Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos Family Foundation

In 2005, DeJoy and his wife founded the Louis DeJoy and Aldona Wos Family Foundation, through which they have provided donations to academic scholarships, including establishing the DeJoy-Wos Odyssey Scholars Endowment at Elon University. DeJoy is on the board of the Fund for American Studies.

2006: The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act

In March 2022, DeJoy worked with Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. James Comer to build bipartisan support for the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, which lifted financial burdens placed on the Postal Service by the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act and required the agency to continue delivering mail six days per week.

2008: Co-chair for Rudy Giuliani's Campaign

In 2008, Louis DeJoy co-chaired Rudy Giuliani's North Carolina fundraising campaign.

2008: Increase in Package Volume Due to E-commerce

In March 2021, DeJoy issued a 10-year plan called "Delivering for America" to stabilize the finances of the Postal Service. The plan takes into account the long-term trend of increasing package volume due to e-commerce (more than doubling since 2008).

2014: Straw Donor Scheme at New Breed

2014: DeJoy donates to Duke University

In 2014, DeJoy donated $747,000 to Duke University, funding Blue Devil Tower and the DeJoy Family Club at the football stadium. That year, his son was accepted to the school and joined the school's tennis team.

2014: Departure as CEO of New Breed Logistics

In 2014, Louis DeJoy stepped down as CEO of New Breed Logistics.

2016: Ignorance of Election Facts

During congressional testimony in August 2020, Louis DeJoy admitted that he was unaware of how many Americans voted by mail in the 2016 elections.

2016: Donations to Jeb Bush's Campaign

In 2016, Louis DeJoy donated a combined $27,700 to Jeb Bush's presidential campaign.

April 2017: Deputy Finance Chairman of the Republican National Committee

In April 2017, Louis DeJoy was named one of three deputy finance chairmen of the Republican National Committee.

2017: Aldona Wos served as the vice chair of the 45th President's Commission on White House Fellowships

From 2017 to 2021 Aldona Wos served as the vice chair of the 45th President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

2018: Departure from XPO Logistics Board

In 2018, Louis DeJoy departed from his strategic role on XPO Logistics' board of directors.

May 2019: Local Finance Chairman for the 2020 Republican National Convention

In May 2019, Louis DeJoy became local finance chairman for the 2020 Republican National Convention, planned for Charlotte, North Carolina.

February 11, 2020: Trump intends to nominate Aldona Wos as Ambassador to Canada

On February 11, 2020, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Aldona Wos, DeJoy's wife, as Ambassador to Canada.

May 6, 2020: Appointment as Postmaster General Announced

On May 6, 2020, the bipartisan USPS Board of Governors announced Louis DeJoy's appointment as postmaster general and CEO, despite concerns about conflicts of interest. He was the first postmaster general in two decades without prior experience in the United States Postal Service.

May 2020: Appointment as Postmaster General

In May 2020, Louis DeJoy was appointed as the 75th U.S. Postmaster General by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

June 2020: Criticism for cost-reduction policies

In June 2020, Louis DeJoy faced criticism for enacting cost-reduction policies after assuming office, including eliminating overtime and banning late or additional trips to deliver mail. These changes, along with the decommissioning of mail-sorting machines and removal of mail collection boxes, led to mail delivery delays and raised concerns about interference with mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election.

June 16, 2020: Implementation of Cost-Cutting Measures

Upon assuming office on June 16, 2020, Louis DeJoy began implementing cost-cutting measures such as banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail, which resulted in slowing mail service. He did not communicate the reasons for such changes within the organization.

August 7, 2020: Reassignment of USPS Officials

On August 7, 2020, Louis DeJoy announced he had reassigned or displaced 23 senior USPS officials, including the two top executives overseeing day-to-day operations, in an effort to improve the Postal Service's "broken business model".

August 13, 2020: DeJoy Confirms Mail Delivery Delays

In a letter to postal workers on August 13, 2020, Louis DeJoy confirmed reports of delays in mail delivery, attributing them to "unintended consequences" of changes aimed at improving service.

August 2020: Scrutiny over investments in companies related to the USPS

As of August 2020, Louis DeJoy and his wife had $30–70 million invested in companies related to the USPS, including XPO and Amazon, leading to scrutiny.

August 2020: Suspension of Mailbox Removal and Equipment Decommissioning

In August 2020, Louis DeJoy announced that the Postal Service would halt the removal of mailboxes and decommissioning of mail-sorting equipment until after the November election, amid controversy over the removal of mail collection boxes and concerns about mailed ballots reaching election offices on time.

August 18, 2020: Suspension of cost-cutting

On August 18, 2020, Louis DeJoy announced that the Postal Service would suspend cost-cutting and other operational changes until after the 2020 election.

September 2020: Allegations of Straw Donor Scheme

In September 2020, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported allegations that Louis DeJoy participated in a straw donor scheme at his logistics company, New Breed, where employees were allegedly reimbursed for making political donations to Republican candidates.

September 2020: Court blocks USPS from sending misleading vote-by-mail information in Colorado

In September 2020, a court blocked the USPS from sending Colorado households a mailer with false and misleading information about vote-by-mail. The USPS also agreed to show previews of any future election mailers to Colorado's secretary of state and attorney general. Additionally, American Oversight sued USPS in federal court in September 2020 to compel the release of directives, guidance, analyses, and key emails from Louis DeJoy related to voting by mail.

2020: Local Finance Chairman for the 2020 Republican National Convention

In 2020, Louis DeJoy became local finance chairman for the 2020 Republican National Convention, planned for Charlotte, North Carolina.

2020: Donations to Donald Trump's Campaign

In 2020, Louis DeJoy donated $1.2 million to Donald Trump's campaign.

2020: Investigation of Straw Donor Allegations

In 2020, The House Committee on Oversight and Reform opened an investigation into allegations that DeJoy participated in a straw donor scheme and the possibility that DeJoy lied to the committee, and called for the Postal Service to suspend him. By the end of 2020, the Wake County, North Carolina district attorney's office had decided that it would not pursue a criminal investigation of New Breed's alleged campaign finance law violations.

2020: Majority of mail-in ballots delivered on time

In 2020, a report found that the vast majority of mail-in ballots and registration materials were delivered to the relevant authorities on time.

January 3, 2021: Wos's nomination as Ambassador to Canada expires

On January 3, 2021, Aldona Wos's nomination as Ambassador to Canada stalled and expired.

February 2021: Biden nominates people to USPS board amid criticism of DeJoy

In February 2021, amid criticism about the USPS under DeJoy, Biden nominated three people to fill four vacancies on the USPS board of governors. That same month, DeJoy stated that he did not intend to leave the position.

February 24, 2021: DeJoy awards contract to Oshkosh

On February 24, 2021, DeJoy received criticism for his decision to award a $6.5 billion contract to modernize the USPS fleet exclusively to Oshkosh, which had previously admitted a lack of expertise in producing electric vehicles. Congressman Tim Ryan referred to the SEC a $54 million purchase of Oshkosh stock made hours before the contract was announced.

March 2021: DeJoy issues "Delivering for America" 10-year plan

In March 2021, DeJoy issued a 10-year plan called "Delivering for America" to stabilize the finances of the Postal Service. The plan aims to bridge a $160 billion budget gap for the decade.

March 2021: Release of "Delivering for America" Plan

In March 2021, Louis DeJoy issued a 10-year plan called "Delivering for America" to stabilize the finances of the Postal Service by slowing first class mail delivery, optimizing transportation networks, cutting post office hours, and raising prices.

March 2021: Inspector General report finds mail-in ballots delivered on time

In March 2021, the Postal Service's inspector general found that the vast majority of mail-in ballots and registration materials in the 2020 election were delivered to the relevant authorities on time.

June 2021: FBI Investigates DeJoy

In June 2021, CNN reported that the FBI was investigating the matter of the straw donor allegations. That investigation was eventually closed, with no charges being filed as of 2023.

December 2021: Biden administration contacts Postal Service about mailing free COVID-19 test kits

In December 2021, the Biden administration contacted the Postal Service about the possibility of mailing free COVID-19 test kits to Americans.

December 2021: FEC Dismisses Complaints

In December 2021, the Federal Election Commission voted 4-1 to dismiss two criminal complaints against DeJoy related to the straw donor allegations.

January 2022: USPS begins delivering COVID-19 test kits

From January 2022 through May 2022, DeJoy helped the USPS deliver approximately 380 million home COVID-19 test kits.

February 2022: Democrats criticize DeJoy's order for gasoline-powered replacement vehicles

In February 2022, Democrats criticized DeJoy's order for $11.3 billion of mostly gasoline-powered replacement vehicles, with Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly saying DeJoy had "flouted" President Biden's executive order on clean procurement. The EPA also criticized the USPS for the order, citing environmental costs and low fuel efficiency. DeJoy cited an ongoing Postal Service environmental review as well as the agency's grave financial condition.

March 2022: DeJoy works to build bipartisan support for Postal Service Reform Act of 2022

In March 2022, DeJoy worked with Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. James Comer to build bipartisan support for the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, which lifted financial burdens placed on the Postal Service and required the agency to continue delivering mail six days per week.

April 6, 2022: Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 signed into law

On April 6, 2022, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, for which DeJoy had built bipartisan support, was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

April 2022: States sue USPS over vehicle electrification plan

In April 2022, 16 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 environmental groups sued the agency over the environmental impact of its slow vehicle electrification plan and demanded a 75% electric order.

May 2022: USPS completes delivery of COVID-19 test kits

From January 2022 through May 2022, DeJoy helped the USPS deliver approximately 380 million home COVID-19 test kits.

June 2022: DeJoy cites mail processing centralization to reduce electric vehicle infrastructure costs

In June 2022, DeJoy said his plan to centralize mail processing would reduce the cost of electric vehicle infrastructure; the Postal Service Office of Inspector General had said that 95% of delivery routes were suitable for electrification.

December 2022: DeJoy announces changes in plans for vehicle purchases

In December 2022, DeJoy announced yet another change in plans for purchases through 2028: an order of 60,000 custom-made vehicles from Oshkosh (75% electric) plus 21,000 EVs from other manufacturers.

2022: Postal Service Reform Act of 2022

In 2022, Congress relieved the USPS of the requirement to pre-pay retiree health care costs with the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, which DeJoy urged for.

2022: Gasoline-powered delivery vehicle purchase

In 2022, DeJoy attracted criticism and lawsuits from environmentalists and Democratic politicians when he decided to purchase 90% gasoline-powered delivery vehicles, citing the agency's financial situation as a justification.

February 2023: Contract announced for electric vehicle purchases

In February 2023, the first order was announced: a contract to purchase 9,450 EVs manufactured by Ford and 14,000 electric vehicle charging stations.

2023: FBI Investigation Closed Without Charges

As of 2023, the FBI investigation into the straw donor allegations was closed, with no charges being filed.

2023: Criticism of DeJoy's plans and effects on mail delivery

In 2023 alone, Georgia saw a 50% drop in the on-time delivery rate of first-class mail, although it has re-increased by 40%.

2024: DeJoy criticized for larger regional hubs implementation.

In 2024, DeJoy was criticized for the implementation of larger regional hubs, which he said would slow mail delivery for rural customers but increase its speed for those who lived close to regional hubs.

February 18, 2025: DeJoy announces intention to step down as Postmaster General

On February 18, 2025, DeJoy announced his intention to step down from the role of Postmaster General, asking the Postal Service Board of Governors to begin a search for his successor.

March 12, 2025: DeJoy enters into agreement with DOGE representatives.

On March 12, 2025, DeJoy entered into an agreement with "DOGE representatives to assist [the USPS] in identifying and achieving further efficiencies".

March 24, 2025: Resignation as Postmaster General

On March 24, 2025, Louis DeJoy resigned from his position as the 75th U.S. Postmaster General.

2026: USPS Expects 100% of Vehicle Purchases to be Electric

In December 2022, DeJoy announced yet another change in plans for purchases through 2028: an order of 60,000 custom-made vehicles from Oshkosh (75% electric) plus 21,000 EVs from other manufacturers. After 2026, the agency expects 100% of its purchases to be electric.

2028: Transition to Electric Vehicles

DeJoy plans to order 83% electric vehicles through 2028 and 100% electric thereafter after additional federal funding was provided by the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 and Inflation Reduction Act.

2028: New target for 100% electric vehicle purchases.

In December 2022, DeJoy announced yet another change in plans for purchases through 2028: an order of 60,000 custom-made vehicles from Oshkosh (75% electric) plus 21,000 EVs from other manufacturers.