Postmaster general and Trump toady Louis DeJoy announced today that he would suspend USPS cost-cutting initiatives until after the 11.3 election.
DeJoy caved amid growing freakouts in every corner of the culture (Twitter, activists, state attorneys general, civil rights groups) about the distinct possibility that DeJoy’s changes could interfere with ballots by mail, which older folks are expected to use to avoid potential pandemic infection.
DeJoy: “There are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival at the Postal Service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic. To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded.” Retail USPS hours will not change, no mail processing facilities will be closed, USPS overtime will continue, etc.
DeJoy will face tough questioning before a virtual Senate hearing on Friday and a House oversight committee hearing on Monday.