Two Democratic lawmakers want the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to look into the alleged efforts to “dismantle” the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
The Postal Service has been in the spotlight recently, especially after the president said that if Democrats do not receive money “that means they can’t have universal mail-in voting.” He has since denied “sabotaging” the Postal Service. Additionally, the new postmaster general previously unveiled changes and there recently was a warning from the USPS that there may be delayed mail-in ballots.
However, Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) penned a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday, calling on the agency to investigate DeJoy and see if there were any crimes committed “in light of nationwide delays and issues with the United States Post Office,” a statement read.
“Multiple media investigations show that Postmaster DeJoy and the Board of Governors have retarded the passage of mail,” the letter reads. “If their intent in doing so was to affect mail-in balloting or was motivated by personal financial reasons, then they likely committed crimes.”
The statement continued:
“There is overwhelming evidence that Postmaster General DeJoy and the Board of Governors have hindered the passage of mail. At least 19 mail sorting machines, which can process 35,000 pieces of mail per hour, have been dismantled and over 671 are slated for reductions later this year. Postmaster DeJoy and the Board of Governors have also instituted ‘sweeping organizational and policy’ changes that ‘have already delayed mail delivery by as much as a week in some places.’ As a result, the U.S Postal Service warned 46 states that voters could be disenfranchised by delayed mail-in ballots.”
The two lawmakers also drew the connection between DeJoy and President Donald Trump, citing, “DeJoy donated over $1.2 million to the Trump Victory Fund; hosted Trump for a fundraiser at his home; has no experience as a letter carrier or postal supervisor; and at the time of his appointment was overseeing fundraising for the Republican National Convention.”
See the full letter below:
.@POTUS & Postmaster General @LouisDeJoy’s efforts to dismantle @USPS with nationwide service delays & other issues threaten an essential govt service relied on by millions of Americans. We’re calling on the @FBI to investigate. #DontMessWithUSPS
— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) August 17, 2020
Our letter with @RepJeffries ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PmEV1NnWFG
“It is not unreasonable to conclude that Postmaster General DeJoy and the Board of Governors may be executing Donald Trump’s desire to affect mail-in balloting,” they added, later concluding, “We therefore urgently request that you open such an investigation. Thank you for your full and fair consideration.”
Additionally, on Sunday, the House Oversight Committee called for DeJoy to testify in an “urgent hearing,” which is scheduled for August 24, as IJR reported.