The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been fraught with delays after cost-cutting policies from the new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a top Trump and Republican party donor.
The crippling problems come just months before the United States expects record numbers of voting by mail in the face of the pandemic that's left no aspect of everyday life untouched.
Congressional Democrats are pressuring Republicans to allocate billions of additional dollars to the USPS to expand its resources ahead of the election, but Republicans and President Donald Trump say that it's a nonstarter.
Trump is still scrambling to sow public mistrust of mail-in voting, falsely asserting that it's rife with voter fraud.
In a Thursday morning interview with Fox News, Trump bluntly stated the reason for his opposition to increased funding for the Postal Service.
Watch below.
Trump this morning why he won't fund US Postal Service. “Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots ... But if they don't get those two items that means you can't have universal mail-in voting." pic.twitter.com/73NBmSnoNC
— The Recount (@therecount) August 13, 2020
Trump admitted that he doesn't want to increase the funds because more people would be able to vote:
"They want $25 billion, billion, for the Post Office. Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots ... But if they don't get those two items that means you can't have universal mail-in voting."
People were stunned to see Trump admit that he wants to suppress the vote.
Not very subtle as to how he is trying to steal this election
— Ray Doherty (@rayd1475) August 13, 2020
In court, wouldn't this be an admission of defunding the post office simply to prevent voting and actual election interference?
— Trumpload Dig (@oldyeller61) August 13, 2020
When you say the quiet part out loud because you know you won't be held accountable.
— Melissa (@MelissaEspo34) August 13, 2020
So @realDonaldTrump admits to election meddling by defunding USPS because they'll run mail in voting and is scared he'll lose in November...AND IT'S NOT INTERNATIONAL NEWS! 😱
— Chris (@ChrisLB168) August 13, 2020
To this non legal constitutional person, this sounds like treason or some facsimile of.
He has zero proof that anyone is attempting to sabotage the mail in votes, yet he denies relief to the millions suffering due to Covid19.
How is this possible?!
— Barbara Holton (@HoltonBarb) August 13, 2020
This is how dictators win elections.
— Grytpype-Thynne 🗽UNITE TO CRUSH TRUMPISM!🌊 (@GrytpypeOBE) August 13, 2020
People are urging Congress to do something.
I don't understand how he is admitting he is sabotaging the postal service in order to tamper with mail in voting to help him win the election, and nothing is being done to stop him.
— Tatyana (@Sassy_Miss_T) August 13, 2020
What is the recourse?? Are we just going to stand here and watch it happen or is there a strategy to change course? Enough with the “How dare you kind sir! Have you no shame?" We know the answer, so what's the plan???
— KendallClawson (@kendallclawson) August 13, 2020
This man belongs in prison. WTF are we just sitting around twirling our thumbs while Trump and his cronies take a torch to our Democracy? Once it's gone, there ain't no getting it back. We need to act and quickly!
— FedUpAmerican (@CantLetItbe) August 13, 2020
In addition to facilitating absentee voting, the USPS delivers over a billion prescription medicines per year.
@jessicachastain/Instagram
