United States Secretary of Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, played a large role in Louis DeJoy’s new position as Postmaster General.
What We Know:
- The appointment of Louis DeJoy as postmaster general has caused significant changes for the U.S. Postal Service. Many operational changes and cost-cutting measures were employed following the appointment that caused severe mail backlogs across the nation.
- Upon appointment, Louis DeJoy had no previous experience working for the U.S. Postal Service and continues to be a ritual Trump donor. Earlier last week, Congress announced a call for the USPS postmaster, General Louis DeJoy, and another postal official to testify in response to growing suspicions of collusion. Following the announcement, DeJoy suspended all of his operational changes in a statement on August 18.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the Trump White House of covering up the role Mnuchin and the Trump administration played in recruiting Louis DeJoy. Many Democratic lawmakers believe the Trump administration is attempting to politicize the USPS in order to support claims made by the president condemning voting-by-mail.
- Russell Reynolds Associates, an executive search firm, which was hired to recruit candidates for the postmaster general position was overhauled by a Board of Governors completely controlled by Trump appointees. Furthermore, David Williams, a former member of the Postal Service Board of Governors, quickly resigned after the appointment of Louis DeJoy believing he was not qualified.
Chuck Schumer continues to investigate the irregularities in DeJoy’s hiring and stands by his accusations that the Trump administration illegally intervened in the selection process. Currently, the investigation is halted due to pending non-disclosures.
