WASHINGTON (US) – A lawsuit was filed against the Donald Trump administration on Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James. She said this was aimed at stopping an effort to disrupt operations of the Postal Service at a time when the pandemic has forced millions of voters in the country to go for mail-in ballots.
The lawsuit names Trump, the postal service and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and it asks the court to vacate recent changes introduced in the Postal Service and halt implementing additional service reductions.
The bid to overhaul the post office, which is cash strapped, has caused concerns among Democrats that voters who wish to stay safe from the virus will not be able to cast ballots by mail because of likely delays in receiving voting materials or returning them.
DeJoy told lawmakers he would resume a few cost-cutting measures that have factored in widespread service delays after the presidential election.
“This USPS slowdown is nothing more than a voter suppression tactic,” James said in a statement, adding that medicines and other important mail were being delayed. “These authoritarian actions are not only jeopardising our democracy and fundamental right to vote, but the immediate health and financial well-being of Americans across the nation.”
The lawsuit was filed by New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, New York City and San Francisco. Led by Pennsylvania, six states sued the Postal Service and the new postmaster general on Aug. 21.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
