New York politicians sue President Trump, postal chief in effort to secure USPS funding

Updated: Aug 17, 2020 / 02:33 PM CDT

FILE – In this July 31, 2020, file photo, letter carriers load mail trucks for deliveries at a U.S. Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. The success of the 2020 presidential election could come down to a most unlikely government agency: the U.S. Postal Service. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Several individuals including candidates for public office sued President Donald Trump and the U.S. Postal Service’s new postmaster general in New York on Monday to ensure adequate funding for postal operations.

The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court, alleging that President Trump and newly appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy are trying to ensure the postal service cannot reliably deliver election mail.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to force adequate funding of the postal service prior to November’s election.

Among plaintiffs in the lawsuit was Mondaire Jones, an attorney and the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 17th Congressional District, representing Rockland and Westchester counties.

Other plaintiffs included New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Democrat in a district representing the Bronx and Westchester and two Democratic candidates for New York State Assembly: Chris Burdick, who seeks to represent parts of Westchester County and Stephanie Keegan, who seeks parts of Putnam and Westchester counties.

The legal action comes amid growing concerns over comments the president recently made and actions taken by DeJoy to change operations at post offices nationwide.

DeJoy, a Republican fundraiser andpolitical donor named to lead the Postal Service in May, is facing criticism over postal delays and cutbacks just as millions of Americans prepare to vote by mail to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, President Donald Trump defended DeJoy but also criticized postal operations and claimed that universal mail-in ballots would be “a disaster.”

“I want to make the post office great again,” Trump said on Fox New’s “Fox & Friends.” Later at the White House he denied asking for a mail-delivery slow down.

A message seeking comment on the lawsuit was left with the Justice Department.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she’s calling back the chamber to vote on legislation to protect the Postal Service later this week. The Democratic-run House also demanded Sunday that DeJoy and other Postal Service leaders testify at an emergency oversight hearing on mail delays on Aug. 24.

The Postal Service warned states last week that it could not guarantee all ballots cast by mail would arrive in time to be counted, even if mailed by deadlines.