AOC: Attack on USPS is an attack on US democracy

Facing mounting public pressure and a crush of state lawsuits, President Donald Trump's new postmaster general announced Tuesday that he is halting some operational changes to mail delivery that critics blamed for widespread delays and warned could disrupt the November election.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said he would "suspend" several of his initiatives — including the removal of the distinctive blue mailboxes that prompted an outcry — until after the election "to avoid even the appearance of impact on election mail."

"We will deliver the nation's election mail on time," DeJoy said in a statement.

But earlier Tuesday, New York lawmakers joined the national outcry calling DeJoy's actions since taking over the helm of the agency a "purposeful dismantling and delay" that should have all Americans concerned.

"An attack on our postal service and an attempt to dismantle our postal service out of a selfish desire to sabotage our democracy and maintain a grip on power is an attack on all of us," said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

"Now is the moment for us to come together, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as people who are concerned for the welfare of American democracy," she later added.

The abrupt reversal from DeJoy, who is set to testify Friday before the Senate, comes as more than 20 states, from New York to California, announced they would be suing to stop the changes. Several vowed they would press on, keeping a watchful eye on the Postal Service ahead of the election.

The crisis at the Postal Service has erupted as a major election year issue as DeJoy, a Republican donor who took control of the agency in June, has swiftly engineered cuts and operational changes that are disrupting mail delivery operations and raising alarms that Trump is trying to undermine the agency ahead of the election.

At the White House, Trump flatly denied he is seeking to slow-walk the mail, even as he leveled fresh assaults Tuesday on mail-in voting and universal ballots.

More Americans than ever are expected to choose to vote absentee during the coronavirus outbreak.

DeJoy said Tuesday he is halting the planned removal of mail-processing machines and blue collection boxes, as well as an initiative to change retail hours at post offices. He also said that no mail processing facilities will be closed and said the agency has not eliminated overtime.

One initiative that DeJoy didn't single out in his announcement was the newly imposed constraints on when mail can go out for delivery — a change that postal workers have said is fueling delays.

A Postal Service spokesman declined to comment beyond DeJoy's statement.

The House is expected to vote Saturday on legislation that would prohibit changes at the agency. The package will also include $25 billion to shore up the Postal Service, which faces continued financial losses.