Trump defends the postmaster general, says 'I don't know what he's doing' amid outrage over USPS delays
- President Donald Trump described the postmaster general as "a very smart man" but added, "I don't know what he's doing," after reporters asked him at a news briefing about widespread USPS issues.
- Trump had been asked about Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's decision to remove hundreds of high-volume mail-processing machines across the country.
- Meanwhile, Democrats on Saturday called for DeJoy to resign, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was reportedly weighing bringing lawmakers back from recess to address the USPS issues.
- Trump also tried to sow doubt in the integrity of widespread mail-in voting, saying without evidence that it could take "months" or "years" to learn the results of the November election.
President Donald Trump defended Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Saturday amid growing outrage over US Postal Service delays and widespread concern about the looming election.
Trump spoke to reporters at a news briefing from his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, but deflected when he was asked about DeJoy's decision to remove hundreds of high-volume mail-processing machines across the country this year.
"I don't know. I don't know what he's doing," Trump said. "I can only tell you he's a very smart man."
He added that DeJoy "wants to make the post office great again."
But the USPS changes have fueled suspicion and accusations that the Trump administration is seeking to sabotage mail-in voting for the November presidential election. In addition to the controversy over the mail-processing machines, a number of states have seen the removal of letter-collection boxes, and people across the country have seem major slowdowns in mail delivery services.
On Saturday, Trump once again tried to sow doubt in the integrity of widespread mail-in voting, saying without evidence that it could take "months" or "years" to learn the results.
"These ballots are all going to be lost," he said. "They're going to be gone."
DeJoy has fielded intense criticism in recent days and weeks, culminating in a noisy protest outside his home on Saturday and reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is considering bringing back the House of Representatives from its August recess to take action.
Later that day, Democrats including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont called for DeJoy's resignation.
"The Postmaster General must resign," Schiff tweeted. "He's slowed delivery, banned overtime & decommissioned mail-sorting machines. Right before the election. During a pandemic."
He added that the House of Representatives should immediately begin hearings on the matter.
Rep. Jim Cooper, a Tennessee Democrat, went a step further and suggested DeJoy be subpoenaed and arrested by the Sergeant at Arms if he refuses to appear.
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- Barack Obama accuses Trump of attempting to 'actively kneecap' the US Postal Service to suppress mail-in votes
- USPS warned 46 states that it can't guarantee that all mail-in-ballots would arrive on time to be counted
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