Louis Freeland Post (November 15, 1849 – January 11, 1928) was a prominent Georgist and the Assistant United States Secretary of Labor during the closing year of the Wilson administration, the period of the Palmer Raids and the First Red Scare, where he had responsibility for the Bureau of Immigration.

[1] Post opposed immigration restrictions and forcefully supported free speech and Henry George's single-tax movement.

[5] In 1919, in response to anarchist terror bombings, Hoover's agents penetrated many violent revolutionary groups and identified their members.

It specified that "aliens who are members of or affiliated with any organization that entertains a belief in, teaches, or advocates the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the United States or of all forms of law" were subject to deportation.

[10] As early as January 1920, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began compiling a file on Post and his political leanings, but failed to find substantive evidence of radical connections on his part.

[11] Some Congressmen traded speeches on his culpability, Committee Chairman Albert Johnson of Washington state attacking Post, and Congressman George Huddleston of Alabama defending him.

[12] On April 15, 1920, Kansas Congressman Homer Hoch accused Post of having abused his power and called for his impeachment.

In a dramatic exchange, Congressman Edward W. Pou, a Democratic supporter of the anti-radical campaign, praised Post's actions–"I believe you have followed your sense of duty absolutely"–and walked out of the room, leaving it in stunned silence.

The White House responded with a letter quoting Labor Secretary Wilson who endorsed Post's actions, detailed the Constitutional principles that guided him, and praised his adherence to Department policies: "We will not deport anyone simply because he has been accused or because he is suspected of being a Red.