Kraninger Goes After Trump’s Enemies — What Will She Do for His Friends?

December 4, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Department of Treasury Postal Task Force Report released today demonstrates Kathy Kraninger is willing to facilitate political attacks against President Trump’s perceived enemies – in this case Amazon CEO and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos. If Kraninger is willing to use the government to attack Trump’s favorite targets, what will she do to reward his friends if she is confirmed to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Burau (CFPB) later this week by the lame-duck Republican Senate?

In her capacity at Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Kraninger helped lead a review of the postal system which ultimately resulted in today’s report which recommends reforms that could raise Amazon’s shipping rates – as Trump has said he wants.

If she is confirmed to lead the CFPB, Kraninger will be in a prime position to use the power of the Bureau to advance Trump’s political agenda by rewarding his largest supporters. For example, the payday lending industry has contributed more than $2.2 million to Trump’s electoral effort and inauguration. The CFPB is currently reconsidering tough new rules that would protect consumers from predatory payday lenders.

“The fact that Kathy Kraninger was willing to use the power of the federal government to lash out at one of President Trump’s favorite political targets, shows that she is not only lacking the experience needed to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, she is also lacking the integrity,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress.

He continued,“Rather than reward this abuse of power with a promotion she does not deserve and is not qualified for, Senators should oppose her confirmation and demand an experience consumer champion be nominated instead.”

KRANINGER DOING TRUMP’S DIRTY WORK

Kathy Kraninger Helped Facilitate Donald Trump’s Attack on Amazon… What Might She Do for Companies the President Actually Likes?

In April, The President Ordered A Seemingly Politically Motivated Review of The US Postal Service as A Way to Strike Back at Jeff Bezos, The CEO Of Amazon 

The Trump Administration Originally Ordered the Study After the President Attacked Amazon “For, In His View, Ripping Off USPS.” “President Donald Trump’s task force scrutinizing U.S. Postal Service operations is proposing an overhaul of the financially distressed agency, including changes to how it prices packages shipped by retailers like Amazon, a frequent target of the president’s attacks. In a report released on Tuesday, the Treasury-led task force says the Postal Service should price packages ‘with profitability in mind’ and impose higher rates on general e-commerce goods and other non-essential items sent through the mail. Trump commissioned the report earlier this year after months of attacking Amazon for, in his view, ripping off USPS and treating the agency like its ‘Delivery Boy.'” [Steven Overly, “Treasury proposes postal changes after Trump attacks on Amazon,” Politico, 12/04/18]

• Trump Has Targeted Amazon Because Its Founder Jeff Bezos Also Owns the Washington Post. “Few U.S. companies have drawn Trump’s ire as much as Amazon, which has rapidly grown to be the second-largest U.S. company in terms of market capitalization. For more than three years, Trump has fumed publicly and privately about the giant commerce and services company and its founder Jeffrey P. Bezos, who is also the owner of The Washington Post.” “Trump personally pushed postmaster general to double rates on Amazon, other firms,”The Washington Post, 05/18/18]

• Previously, Trump “Personally Pushed U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan To Double the Rate the Postal Service Charges Amazon.Com” To Ship Packages. “President Trump has personally pushed U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan to double the rate the Postal Service charges Amazon.com and other firms to ship packages, according to three people familiar with their conversations, a dramatic move that probably would cost these companies billions of dollars… his critiques culminated in the signing of an executive order mandating a government review of the financially strapped Postal Service that could lead to major changes in the way it charges Amazon and others for package delivery.” [Damian Paletta and Josh Dawsey, “Trump personally pushed postmaster general to double rates on Amazon, other firms,”The Washington Post, 05/18/18]

Kraninger Helped Lead the Review of The Postal Service.

Kraninger Led Trump’s “Review of The Postal Service,” Along with One of Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s Counselors. “One of Mnuchin’s counselors, Craig Phillips, is leading Trump’s review of the Postal Service, along with Kathy Kraninger, associate director for general government at the Office of Management and Budget. It is due in August.” [Damian Paletta and Josh Dawsey, “Trump personally pushed postmaster general to double rates on Amazon, other firms,” The Washington Post, 05/18/18]

The Final Postal Report Recommended Reforms That Could Raise Amazon’s Shipping Rates… As Trump Wants.

The Final Postal Report Recommended “Reforms” That Could “Raise Shipping Rates” And “Inflame Tensions with Amazon and Other Online Retailers.” “The Trump administration on Tuesday called on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to make sweeping reforms that could raise shipping rates for certain packages, a move that could inflame tensions with online retailers like Amazon, a frequent punching bag for President Trump.

The administration’s USPS task force said in a new report that the changes are needed to bring in more revenue for the cash-strapped Postal Service, which reported $3.9 billion in losses in fiscal year 2018.” [Jordan Fabian, “Trump administration recommends postal reforms that could raise rates, setting up fight with Amazon,” The Hill, 12/04/18]

• Trump’s Focus on Amazon’s Relationship with The US Postal Service Appeared “To Stem from His Animosity Toward Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos.” “The proposed changes were the result of a process Trump initiated in April, after he accused Amazon of ripping off the Postal Service with what he called a sweetheart shipping deal that turned the USPS into its ‘delivery boy.’ ‘I think Amazon has the bargain of the century with the U.S. Post Office, which is losing a fortune,’ Trump said last month in an interview with the conservative Daily Caller. Trump’s frustration with the agreementappears spurred on by his animosity toward Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post. The president has bashed the paper’s coverage of him and accused Bezos of using it as a lobbying arm for Amazon, a claim both deny.” [Jordan Fabian, “Trump administration recommends postal reforms that could raise rates, setting up fight with Amazon,” The Hill, 12/04/18]

If She’s Confirmed as CFPB Director, Kathy Kraninger Would Be in A Position to Help Companies That Support the President, Like Payday Lenders… So, It’s No Surprise They Endorsed Her Nomination.

The Payday Loan Industry’s Top Trade Group Has Endorsed Kathy Kraninger For the Role of CFPB Director.

On June 18, 2018, CFSA said they looked forward to working with Kathy Kraninger to repeal the CFPB’s payday lending rule.  On June 18, 2018, the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) endorsed Kathy Kraninger to serve as the next CFPB Director. Dennis Shaul, CEO of CFSA, said, “‘CFSA congratulates Kathy Kraninger on her nomination to serve as CFPB Director.’” He went on to say that “‘CFSA looks forward to working with Ms. Kraninger as the Bureau reconsiders – and hopefully repeals’” the small-dollar (payday) lending rule. [Press Release, “CFSA STATEMENT ON NOMINATION OF KATHY KRANINGER AS CFPB DIRECTOR,” CFSAA.org, 06/18/18]

Payday Industry Entities Have Given At Least $1,275,000 To the Trump Inauguration

Roderick Aycox of Select Management Resources contributed at least $1,000,000 to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. Roderick Aycox of Select Management Resources contributed at least $1,000,000 to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. [Open Secrets Search for Trump Inauguration, Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 11/13/17] 

Advance America Cash Advance Centers contributed at least $250,000 to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. Advance America Cash Advance Centers contributed at least $250,000 to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. [Open Secrets Search for Trump Inauguration, Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 11/13/17]

Checks into Cash contributed at least $25,000 to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. Checks into Cash contributed at least $25,000 to Trump’s 2017 Inauguration. [Open Secrets Search for Trump Inauguration, Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 11/13/17]

Payday Industry Entities Have Given At Least $986,810 To the Trump Presidential Campaign 

Michael Hodges, chairman of Harpeth Financial, contributed at least $193,100 to Trump’s presidential committees. In 2017, Michael Hodges, chairman of Harpeth Financial, contributed at least $35,000 to the Trump Victory committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Victory, 2017, accessed 11/13/17] 

• In 2016, Michael Hodges, chairman of Harpeth Financial, contributed at least $150,000 to the Trump Victory committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Victory, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]. In 2017, Michael Hodges, chairman of Harpeth Financial, contributed at least $5,400 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2017-2018, accessed 11/13/17]. In 2016, Michael Hodges, chairman of Harpeth Financial, contributed at least $2,700 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

Roderick Aycox, CEO of Select Management Resources, and his wife contributed at least $702,000 to Trump’s presidential committees. In 2016, Roderick Aycox, CEO of Select Management Resources, contributed at least $350,000 to Trump Victory Committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Victory, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

• In 2016, Leslie Vail Aycox contributed at least $350,000 to Trump Victory Committee, a joint fundraising committee. [Trump Victory Schedule A, Federal Election Commission, 10/28/18]. In 2016, Roderick Aycox, CEO of Select Management Resources, contributed at least $2,700 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

Executives of Jones Management Group contributed at least $86,700 to Trump’s presidential committees. In 2016, Allan Jones, CEO of Jones Management Group, contributed at least $5,400 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2016, accessed 11/13/17] 

• In 2016, Allan Jones, CEO of Jones Management Group, contributed at least $80,400 to Trump victory committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Victory, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]. In 2016, William Jones, VP of Jones Management Group, contributed at least $400 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]. In 2016, William Jones, VP of Jones Management Group, contributed at least $500 to Trump Make America Great Again Committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Make America Great Again Committee, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

Ian Mackechnie, an executive for Amscot Financial, contributed at least $2,700 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. Ian Mackechnie, an executive for Amscot Financial, contributed at least $2,700 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

Robert Zeitler, CEO of PH Financial Services, contributed at least $1,860 to Trump’s presidential committees. Robert Zeitler, CEO of PH Financial Services, contributed at least $900 to Trump Make America Great Again Committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Make America Great Again Committee, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

• Robert Zeitler, CEO of PH Financial Services, contributed at least $960 to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., 2016, accessed 10/29/18]

Eves Greyson, an accountant for Community Choice Financial, contributed at least $450 to Trump presidential committees. Eves Greyson, an accountant for Community Choice Financial, contributed at least $200 to Donald J. Trump for President committee. [FEC Search for Donald J. Trump for President, 2016, accessed 10/29/18] 

• Eves Greyson, an accountant for Community Choice Financial, contributed at least $250 to Trump Make America Great Again Committee, a joint fundraising committee. [FEC Search for Trump Make America Great Again Committee, 2016, accessed 10/29/18]

A Payday Industry Entity Gave At Least $25,000 To A Pro-Trump PAC

NCP Finance Ohio contributed at least $25,000 to Great America PAC, a pro-Trump PAC. NCP Finance Ohio contributed at least $25,000 to Great America PAC, a pro-Trump PAC. [FEC Search for Great America PAC, 2016, accessed 11/13/17]

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