At least six state attorneys general appear to be discussing possible legal action against the Trump administration due to changes at the United States Postal Service (USPS) that could disenfranchise voters seeking to cast their ballot by mail this year.
The group of Democratic state officials appear to be making moves toward a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for the sudden changes that were made in the name of cost reduction.
Critics maintain that the changes are an attempt to purposely slow mail delivery service, citing Trump’s comments last week that implied he was blocking funding to USPS in order to impede mail-in voting in this year’s general election, including the race for president.
Attorneys generals in Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington have made statements suggesting legal action was in the works against the administration.
“I am reviewing all legal options to protect this election,” North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein tweeted on Saturday, noting that “Trump admitted” in his statement last week “to trying [to] starve USPS of $ so it can’t deliver absentee ballots.”
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring also stated that moves by DeJoy and Trump represent an “assault on Democracy.”
“DeJoy and the entire Trump Administration must answer for exactly what’s going on,” Herring said.
DeJoy, who has given millions of dollars to the Republican Party (including to Trump) and who has vested financial interests in competitors to USPS, has implemented a number of changes to Post Office operations across the country, including cuts to overtime, adjustments to delivery policies and the removal of hundreds of high-speed mail sorting machines. The moves may end up shutting down many post office locations, cutting staff and slowing down service.
Indeed, changes have already resulted in the USPS warning election officials in 46 states that mail-in ballots may not arrive in time to be counted for the 2020 elections.
Americans reported a number of other alarming trends, including the removal of letter collection boxes in several states across the country. Other collection boxes have had locks placed on them, preventing them from being used.
Democratic lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are also considering legislation to stop changes at USPS in the lead up to the 2020 election. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) announced on Sunday that she would be recalling House lawmakers from their August recess in order to deal with the matter.
“Lives, livelihoods and the life of our American democracy are under threat from the president,” Pelosi said in her letter to colleagues.
It’s unclear whether the Republican-controlled Senate would take similar action in order to address the issue, although there is a bipartisan call from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to respond.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you have the means to make a substantial gift, please dig deep during this critical time!
With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy