FACT CHECK: Did The USPS Endorse Kamala Harris For President?

October 2nd, 2024
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 29: Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris pauses while speaking during a campaign rally at the Expo at World Market Center on September 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harris and her opponent Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump have both been holding events in Nevada, a battleground state in the 2024 election. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A post shared on Facebook claims the United States Postal Service (USPS) has purportedly endorsed 2024 Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

 

Verdict: Misleading

The claim is misleading. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), a labor union that represents postal walkers, not the USPS, endorsed Harris. A spokesperson for the USPS denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.

Fact Check:

Harris is behind 2024 Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, according to Newsweek. Trump has a 0.2 point lead at 48.1% compared to Harris, who is at 47.9%, the outlet reported.

The Facebook post claims the USPS has purportedly endorsed Harris for president. “Cool, usps, [sic] you know the people picking up your mail that sees your Trump sign. [sic] Yea, they are endorsing Harris! I’m sure that doesn’t mean anything,” the post, which does not provide a source to support its claim, reads.

The claim is misleading. The NALC, a labor union that represents postal walkers, not the USPS, endorsed Harris.

“The nation’s 290,000 active and retired city letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) are proud to announce our endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz to serve as the next president and vice president of the United States,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said via a statement that appears on the union’s website.

“The debate on [Tuesday, September 10] reinforced what we know: Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have the pro-labor record we support and the pro-worker vision we need in the White House in 2025 and beyond. Both have a strong history of fighting on behalf of unions and union members,” he added. (RELATED: Kamala Harris Falsely Claims Donald Trump Lost 200,000 Manufacturing Jobs Before Pandemic Started)

Likewise, Alabama-based outlet ABC News 3340 reported the NALC had endorsed Harris for president, citing Renfroe’s statement.

In addition, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports suggesting the USPS had endorsed Harris. Actually, the opposite is true.

On Oct. 1, Reuters reported the claim was misleading and the endorsement came from the NALC, not the USPS. Reuters referenced the Hatch Act, which “restricts some political activities of U.S. federal employees working in the executive branch, aiming to keep the government free from partisan influence,” according to the outlet.

Furthermore, David Coleman, a spokesperson for the USPS denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.

“The United States Postal Service complies with the requirements of the Hatch Act. As such, the Postal Service is a non-partisan organization, which does not endorse political parties, candidates, or groups. Federal labor unions are separate entities from the Postal Service. Although they are comprised of federal employees, they do not violate the Hatch Act by endorsing political parties or candidates. Any questions regarding how the Hatch Act applies to unions should be directed to the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that enforces the Act,” Coleman said.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter