Democratic Reps. Ted Lieu and Hakeem Jeffries wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray Monday asking for an investigation into whether Postmaster General Louis DeJoy or the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors have committed any crimes by slowing down the mail, further escalating lawmakers' scrutiny into the USPS in light of DeJoy's controversial changes to the agency that have resulted in widespread mail delays.
U.S. Postmaster General Louis Dejoy arrives at a meeting at the office of Speaker of the House Rep. ... [+] 
Lieu and Jeffries cite the recent mail delays and note that if DeJoy or the board of governors-made up entirely of Trump appointees-slowed down the mail "to affect mail-in balloting" or because of "personal financial reasons, then they likely committed crimes."
It is illegal under U.S. law to "knowingly and willfully [obstruct] or [retard] the passage of the mail" and for U.S. officials to use their authority "for the purpose of interfering with, or affecting" the nomination or election of the president, vice president or congressional lawmakers.
Though DeJoy-a major GOP fundraiser and Trump donor-has denied intentionally slowing down the mail, he has acknowledged there have been " unintended consequences " of his recent cost-cutting measures at the USPS, which have resulted in reports of widespread mail delays.
DeJoy has also come under fire for having millions of dollars worth of financial ties to USPS contractors and competitors, which Lieu and Jeffries point to as a possible reason DeJoy could be illegally implementing changes for his own financial benefit.
The request to Wray comes after Arizona Sec. of State Katie Hobbs and New Jersey lawmaker Rep. Bill Pascrell recommended their state attorneys general open similar investigations into whether DeJoy has committed a crime over slowing down the mail.
House Democrats have called the postmaster general to testify before Congress Aug. 24-nearly a month earlier than originally scheduled-amid the scrutiny, and will go back into session later this week to vote on legislation aimed at reversing DeJoy's changes.
"For several years, the President has repeatedly attacked the legitimacy of mail-in voting," the representatives write. "It is not unreasonable to conclude that Postmaster General DeJoy and the Board of Governors may be executing Donald Trump's desire to affect mail-in balloting."
The recent changes at the USPS, which include cuts to overtime and transportation cuts, as well as restructuring USPS leadership and reportedly removing mail sorting equipment, have come under significant scrutiny ahead of the November election. President Donald Trump suggested Thursday he was blocking USPS funding over his personal objections to mail-in voting, and the USPS wrote letters in July to 46 states warning that mail-in ballots could be delayed because of current ballot deadlines not being in line with the agency's "delivery standards." Democrats have alleged that the mail slowdown and recent USPS changes are an effort to "sabotage" the election, with former President Barack Obama saying Friday that Trump is attempting "to actively kneecap the postal service to [discourage] voting." DeJoy has denied being influenced by Trump and defended his sweeping changes to the agency, which are now reportedly under review -along with DeJoy's financial holdings-by the postal service's inspector general.
A sweeping state-led investigation into the USPS and DeJoy may be coming, as the Washington Post reported that attorneys general from at least six states have been discussing potential lawsuits against the Trump administration over the USPS changes. They are "expect[ed] to announce legal action early this week," the Post reports.
Pelosi Calling House Back In Session Over Postal Service Controversy (Forbes)
Postal Service Warns Mail-In Ballots In 46 States May Not Be Delivered In Time (Forbes)
Democrats Investigate Whether Trump, DeJoy Violated Laws With USPS Actions (Forbes)
Postmaster General Acknowledges 'Unintended Consequences' Of USPS Changes Causing Mail Delays (Forbes)
Trump Admits To Blocking USPS Funding Over Mail-In Voting, Biden Slams Move As 'Pure Trump' (Forbes)
I am a New York-based journalist covering breaking news at Forbes. I previously covered politics and news for Vanity Fair and Mic, and as a theater critic I serve as a
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