Through 3.5 years of FOIA litigation, Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT) obtained 519 pages of initially hidden and then redacted USPS records concerning Project T—the White House’s COVID-19 test kit distribution program. Newly released material clarifies coordination between the USPS and the White House, revealing extensive White House involvement in program design, privacy policy, and communications with Congress.
Key Findings
- White House Control: USPS repeatedly referred to major operational restrictions—such as the ban on shipments to business addresses—as “White House policy.” USPS deferred congressional inquiries, noting the program “followed the structure the White House established.”
- Sensitive Privacy Edits: The White House proposed language assuring the public that ICE and CBP would not receive personal data collected through the program. USPS legal counsel raised concerns about these edits. USPS said and continues to say that it could send information collected from the public to labor unions.
- Federal Funding Concealed: USPS officials confirmed they were “fully reimbursed,” but were told to direct inquiries about funding sources back to the White House, indicating unclear or undisclosed channeling of appropriated funds.
- Political Sensitivity: Call center staff were instructed to avoid political discussions, suggesting internal awareness of potential controversy regarding privacy, data usage, and federal oversight.
- Congressional Interactions: The documents show exchanges with multiple congressional offices—including Sen. Ron Wyden’s and Rep. Lauren Boebert’s—over privacy concerns and delivery restrictions.
- Internal Anxiety: USPS staff expressed unease handling questions from Senate staff about privacy and immigration implications.
- General Delivery Access: USPS explicitly enabled General Delivery addresses to ensure even unhoused individuals could receive test kits, showing deliberate attention to universal reach.