Trump-appointed Postal Service chief to testify amid fears about U.S. election

[webfact]

Trump-appointed Postal Service chief to testify amid fears about U.S. election

By David Shepardson and Katanga Johnson

 

U.S. postal workers load their trucks as they begin their day during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Carlsbad, California, U.S., August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's appointed postmaster general on Monday agreed to testify before Congress next week on cuts in service that lawmakers fear could hamper the Postal Service's ability to handle a flood of mail-in ballots in November's election.

 

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major Trump political donor, agreed to testify next Monday before the Democratic-led House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee, which is investigating whether service changes adopted in recent weeks have slowed mail deliveries.

 

The committee called DeJoy's appearance voluntary. Robert Duncan, who chairs the Postal Service board of governors and is a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, will testify along with DeJoy, the Postal Service confirmed.

 

Congressional Democrats have raised concerns that, amid a coronavirus pandemic that is expected to result in about twice as many Americans voting by mail as did so in 2016, cost cuts at the Postal Service could lead to missed or delayed ballots.

 

They have pointed to reductions in overtime, restrictions on extra mail transportation trips and new mail sorting and delivery policies as changes that threaten to slow mail delivery.

 

Trump has repeatedly and without evidence claimed that mail balloting is vulnerable to fraud. Voting by mail is nothing new in the United States, and one in four voters cast ballots that way in 2016.

 

Separately, House Democratic Conference Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Ted Lieu called on the FBI to open a criminal probe into DeJoy.

 

"There is evidence that making mail-in balloting more difficult may be one of the motivations for the changes instituted at the Post Office," Jeffries and Lieu wrote in a Monday letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

 

"There is also evidence that the Postmaster General has a financial stake in multiple financial entities that are either competitors to or contractors for the Post Office," the lawmakers said.

 

'NOT TAMPERING'

"No, we're not tampering," Trump said in an interview with Fox News amid an outcry from Democrats and other critics who accuse him of trying to hamstring the Postal Service to suppress mail-in voting as he trails Democratic presidential challenger Joe Biden in polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

 

"We want to make it run efficiently, run good," Trump said of the Postal Service.

 

Later on Monday at an event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Trump said: "We can't play games, get out and vote through those beautiful absentee ballots or just make sure your vote gets counted.

 

New U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to testify before a U.S. House panel investigating whether service changes adopted in recent weeks have slowed mail deliveries, the committee said on Monday. This report produced by Yahaira Jacquez.

 

"Make sure, because the only way we're going to lose this election is if the election is rigged. Remember that. The only way we're going to lose this election. So we have to be very careful," he said.

 

Republican Senator Tom Cotton, a close Trump ally, accused Democrats of promoting "conspiracy" theories, a charge echoed by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

 

Trump, who himself plans to cast an absentee ballot by mail in Florida, and many other Republicans have opposed an expansion of mail-in voting to accommodate people concerned about going to the polls to vote in-person due to fears amid the pandemic.

 

Trump said in March that with mail-in voting at levels that Democrats were seeking "you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again."

 

The Democratic-controlled House will meet on Saturday to consider legislation prohibiting changes to Postal Service levels that were in place on Jan. 1, 2020, said the chamber's No. 2 Democrat, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

 

A Democratic congressional aide said the legislation will also include $25 billion in funding for the Postal Service. Congressional Democrats had sought that amount in talks on coronavirus relief legislation that broke down over a week ago.

 

While Trump has voiced opposition to such funding, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Monday the administration could agree to Postal Service funding as part of a bill to deliver coronavirus aid.

 

(Reporting by Katanga Johnson, David Shepardson and Susan Heavey; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Alexandra Alper; Writing by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Chizu Nomiyama and Sonya Hepinstall)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-08-18

 

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[Tippaporn]

WSJ - The Postal Service’s Good Election Advice

 

News broke Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has warned dozens of states, via letters from USPS General Counsel Thomas Marshall, that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” On cue, Democrats and the press portrayed this as evidence of Trumpian sabotage and voter suppression.

 

The truth is that USPS tried to avert election failure by alerting states, planned before DeJoy took over on June 15, which is the opposite of what the hoaxsters are claiming.  Not only that but Marshall posted on USPS.com nearly identical advice to election officials back in May.

 

Credit the shadow president, Obama, with starting this on a podcast Friday in which he accused Trump of trying to "actively kneecap the Postal Service."

Edited August 17, 2020 by Tippaporn

[Tug]

I suspect trump won’t let his lackey testify and trump and his minions are trying to sabotage the post office 

[stevenl]

7 hours ago, Tug said:

I suspect trump won’t let his lackey testify and trump and his minions are trying to sabotage the post office 

I think he'll be there, but it will be the usual grandstanding.

[darksidedog]

An off topic post and a reply have been removed.

[opalred]

wont happen / trump put a stamp on his forehead and posted to Cuba 

[Scott]

Troll posts reported and removed. 

 

[Pique Dard]

since trump was elected president, i've got the impression the usa have become a banana republic

 

[MajarTheLion]

Not much to see here.... the Postal Service is angling for yet another bailout from taxpayers. The USPS has been in trouble for decades and their service gets worse and worse. It should be done away with completely. Better yet, privatize it. We taxpayers who foot the bills are tired of throwing more money at this monstrosity.

 

But maybe he's got a point. It's best everyone show up and vote in person. Trusting the USPS is not a wise move at all.

[Snackbar]

Pathetic

[kamahele]

On 8/18/2020 at 6:24 AM, Tippaporn said:

WSJ - The Postal Service’s Good Election Advice

 

News broke Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has warned dozens of states, via letters from USPS General Counsel Thomas Marshall, that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” On cue, Democrats and the press portrayed this as evidence of Trumpian sabotage and voter suppression.

 

The truth is that USPS tried to avert election failure by alerting states, planned before DeJoy took over on June 15, which is the opposite of what the hoaxsters are claiming.  Not only that but Marshall posted on USPS.com nearly identical advice to election officials back in May.

 

Credit the shadow president, Obama, with starting this on a podcast Friday in which he accused Trump of trying to "actively kneecap the Postal Service."

The warning letters regarding mail in ballots were sent in JULY. Trump has been moaning about mail in ballots for months. The post office could have easily handled all the mail in ballots prior to the removal of sorting machines and the denial of overtime for staff as the additional mail is dwarfed by the amount of mail at Christmas. 

[JCauto]

On 8/18/2020 at 6:24 AM, Tippaporn said:

WSJ - The Postal Service’s Good Election Advice

 

News broke Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has warned dozens of states, via letters from USPS General Counsel Thomas Marshall, that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” On cue, Democrats and the press portrayed this as evidence of Trumpian sabotage and voter suppression.

 

The truth is that USPS tried to avert election failure by alerting states, planned before DeJoy took over on June 15, which is the opposite of what the hoaxsters are claiming.  Not only that but Marshall posted on USPS.com nearly identical advice to election officials back in May.

 

Credit the shadow president, Obama, with starting this on a podcast Friday in which he accused Trump of trying to "actively kneecap the Postal Service."

First of all, thanx for the LOLZ - "shadow president". Hadn't heard that one before, highly amused.

So the USPS tried to avert election failure - who is running it, is it the Democrats somehow? Shadow President Obama? Why haven't the Trump Administration taken it over like they did the rest of the US Government?

By the way, can you explain how it is that the USPS can deliver all that Christmas mail and yet cannot manage ballots for an election as they have in every previous election in US history? What's different this time?

[mtls2005]

Use one staff lawyer for ALL questioning.

 

Will be interesting to see if he pleads the fifth?

 

 

 

 

[Dumbastheycome]

On 8/18/2020 at 6:24 AM, Tippaporn said:

WSJ - The Postal Service’s Good Election Advice

 

News broke Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has warned dozens of states, via letters from USPS General Counsel Thomas Marshall, that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” On cue, Democrats and the press portrayed this as evidence of Trumpian sabotage and voter suppression.

 

The truth is that USPS tried to avert election failure by alerting states, planned before DeJoy took over on June 15, which is the opposite of what the hoaxsters are claiming.  Not only that but Marshall posted on USPS.com nearly identical advice to election officials back in May.

 

Credit the shadow president, Obama, with starting this on a podcast Friday in which he accused Trump of trying to "actively kneecap the Postal Service."

How does that explain the dismantling of  physical infrastructure just prior to an expected massive increase in the utilization of that infrastructure in the upcoming  election?

That being enacted by a Trump appointee  with very clear conflicts of interest in that appointed  role?

Best advice from  USPS about limitations prior to that appointment being compounded by a deliberate reduction now is justifiably in need of investigation given the circumstances.

 

[rcummings]

On 8/18/2020 at 6:24 AM, Tippaporn said:

WSJ - The Postal Service’s Good Election Advice

 

News broke Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has warned dozens of states, via letters from USPS General Counsel Thomas Marshall, that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” On cue, Democrats and the press portrayed this as evidence of Trumpian sabotage and voter suppression.

 

The truth is that USPS tried to avert election failure by alerting states, planned before DeJoy took over on June 15, which is the opposite of what the hoaxsters are claiming.  Not only that but Marshall posted on USPS.com nearly identical advice to election officials back in May.

 

Credit the shadow president, Obama, with starting this on a podcast Friday in which he accused Trump of trying to "actively kneecap the Postal Service."

The truth is that in previous elections the post office let all mail-in ballots be treated as first class mail even though the states pay less than first class.. By the way, that lower rate for states is stipulated by federal law. In fact, delivery of ballots was better than first class since special postal codes were assigned to mail-in ballots in order to selectively speed them to their destination.

[KhunFred]

On 8/19/2020 at 2:59 AM, Pique Dard said:

since trump was elected president, i've got the impression the usa have become a banana republic

 

You give it FAR too much credit. Bananas are tasty. Trump is a classic feces sandwich.????

[mtls2005]

mnuchin, can we call him the "mnooch", appears to have his fingers in the USPS mess. Grifters gonna grift.

 

Mnuchin Politicized Post Office for Trump, Ex-Official Says

 

President Donald Trump sought to turn the U.S. Postal Service into a “political tool” that could be used to punish Amazon.com Inc., and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin led the effort, a former member of the agency’s board of governors told lawmakers on Thursday.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-20/mnuchin-politicized-postal-service-for-trump-ex-official-says

[rcummings]

8 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

mnuchin, can we call him the "mnooch", appears to have his fingers in the USPS mess. Grifters gonna grift.

 

Mnuchin Politicized Post Office for Trump, Ex-Official Says

 

President Donald Trump sought to turn the U.S. Postal Service into a “political tool” that could be used to punish Amazon.com Inc., and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin led the effort, a former member of the agency’s board of governors told lawmakers on Thursday.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-20/mnuchin-politicized-postal-service-for-trump-ex-official-says

The postal service actually commissioned a head-hunting agency to search for a new Postmaster General. But Dejoy wasn't among the people they recommended. In fact, during his employment hearing, he had to be helped by one of the members of the board as he repeatedly stumbled when answering questions.

[johnnybangkok]

1 hour ago, rcummings said:

The postal service actually commissioned a head-hunting agency to search for a new Postmaster General. But Dejoy wasn't among the people they recommended. In fact, during his employment hearing, he had to be helped by one of the members of the board as he repeatedly stumbled when answering questions.

Proof indeed of a political appointment. One of Trumps many. 

[mtls2005]

dejoy is deTOAST.

 

mnuchin may have to resign: spend more time with family.

 

Mnuchin's role in postmaster's appointment becomes target

The treasury secretary held a series of one-on-one meetings with members of the Postal Service Board of Governors before Louis DeJoy's appointment.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/mnuchin-s-role-postmaster-s-appointment-becomes-target-n1237553?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

[MajarTheLion]

On 8/18/2020 at 11:16 PM, JCauto said:

First of all, thanx for the LOLZ - "shadow president". Hadn't heard that one before, highly amused.

So the USPS tried to avert election failure - who is running it, is it the Democrats somehow? Shadow President Obama? Why haven't the Trump Administration taken it over like they did the rest of the US Government?

By the way, can you explain how it is that the USPS can deliver all that Christmas mail and yet cannot manage ballots for an election as they have in every previous election in US history? What's different this time?

What's different is they're angling for yet another bailout from taxpayers. But maybe they're right. We probably shouldn't trust USPS to deliver mail. Best to vote in person.

[Tug]

Well I watched part of his interview he won’t return sorting machines to service he won’t return drop boxes ripped out straight up lied about the overtime issue denies talking to donald and minuchin has his money grubbing mitts in this fiasco this group of grifters needs to be removed no doubt about it

[rcummings]

On 8/18/2020 at 6:24 AM, Tippaporn said:

WSJ - The Postal Service’s Good Election Advice

 

News broke Friday that the U.S. Postal Service has warned dozens of states, via letters from USPS General Counsel Thomas Marshall, that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” On cue, Democrats and the press portrayed this as evidence of Trumpian sabotage and voter suppression.

 

The truth is that USPS tried to avert election failure by alerting states, planned before DeJoy took over on June 15, which is the opposite of what the hoaxsters are claiming.  Not only that but Marshall posted on USPS.com nearly identical advice to election officials back in May.

 

Credit the shadow president, Obama, with starting this on a podcast Friday in which he accused Trump of trying to "actively kneecap the Postal Service."

There's an old joke about a defendant convicted of killing his parents who then throws himself on the mercy of the court because he's an orphan. The postal service's new management created the conditions that meant delays were inevitable and now tries to take credit for warning of them.

 

In past elections, even though states paid the lowest rates for postal service, the post office treated ballots as the highest priority of first class mail even assigning special codes to ballots that meant they jumped to the head of the line. This time around, the warned states that they would have to pay first class postage so that ballots would be treated the way other first class mail would be.

 

And of course, the appointment of DeJoy is highly suspect. The Postal Service actually hired a headhunter firm to find candidates. Instead of selecting  one of them, DeJoy was chosen. It turned out that Steve Mnuchin intervened strongly on his behalf. He had private meetings with each of the Republican members of the board. He had to do it this way since he was prohibited by law from being present at a general meeting. So a Postmaster General got appointed who is a major Republican donor and has massive conflicts of interest. Sleazy. Very sleazy.

[rcummings]

On 8/19/2020 at 3:08 AM, MajarTheLion said:

Not much to see here.... the Postal Service is angling for yet another bailout from taxpayers. The USPS has been in trouble for decades and their service gets worse and worse. It should be done away with completely. Better yet, privatize it. We taxpayers who foot the bills are tired of throwing more money at this monstrosity.

 

But maybe he's got a point. It's best everyone show up and vote in person. Trusting the USPS is not a wise move at all.

Do you understand that the Post Office is stipulated for in what may be to you an irrelevant document called the U.S. Constitution?

Also, unlike private business, the law requires the Post Office to be fully fund its pension obligations for the next 75 years. That is nuts. 

[TopDeadSenter]

Mail in voting already causing chaos and voter fraud. How predictable. Trump was right(again), this election will be disputed thanks to the opposition making sure there can never be a reliable count. If anyone supports never having a result to this election, and support law suits dragging on for months or years after the vote, well keep mailing out non-requested ballots. Did Trump claim there have been 51 million non-requested ballots mailed out? This election is toast.

 

"Alex Mendez had won a special election on May 12 to fill the seat, but claims of voter fraud were soon raised. An investigation was then launched after the Us Postal Service’s law enforcement arm told the state attorney general’s office about hundreds of mail-in ballots located in a mailbox in Paterson, along with more found in nearby Haledon."

https://nypost.com/2020/08/20/new-election-ordered-in-nj-race-marred-by-voter-fraud-charges/

[Opl]

big donor just making sure his ROI increases, accused of political motives

Edited August 22, 2020 by Opl

[mtls2005]

38 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Mail in voting already causing chaos and voter fraud.

Calling BS on this extremely broad claim, backed up with "charges" in one race in NJ.

 

Not counting valid ballots, lost in a mailbox no less, hardly counts as "voter fraud".

 

Making these sorts of uninformed comments just makes you look silly, and causes people to add you to their "ignored" list.

 

Dial it back a bit.

 

The president formed a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in 2017.  Bang.

 

On January 3, 2018, the commission was quietly disbanded by trump.  Whimper.

 

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

One thing is obvious - but no surprise.

Trump didn't install that guy because of his competence but because of the fact that he is a big donor to Trump.

In other countries something like that is called corruption...

[OneMoreFarang]

50 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Mail in voting already causing chaos and voter fraud. How predictable. Trump was right(again), this election will be disputed thanks to the opposition making sure there can never be a reliable count. If anyone supports never having a result to this election, and support law suits dragging on for months or years after the vote, well keep mailing out non-requested ballots. Did Trump claim there have been 51 million non-requested ballots mailed out? This election is toast.

 

"Alex Mendez had won a special election on May 12 to fill the seat, but claims of voter fraud were soon raised. An investigation was then launched after the Us Postal Service’s law enforcement arm told the state attorney general’s office about hundreds of mail-in ballots located in a mailbox in Paterson, along with more found in nearby Haledon."

https://nypost.com/2020/08/20/new-election-ordered-in-nj-race-marred-by-voter-fraud-charges/

If mail in voting is such a risk then improve it. Don't make it more difficult.

The want to be shining sample democracy should spend money to make sure all votes from all people are counted in time.

They should guarantee that everybody can vote safely.

But instead Trump does the opposite and the spineless GOP politicians still support him.

The world is watching and seeing the USA for what it is: Be best democracy money can buy.

[Scott]

Posting false information can earn a suspension.  Take care in making allegations which cannot be substantiated with a credible source.