Machines were unplugged

The Postmaster General claims to have no idea who made the decisions to sabotage the agency he’s in charge of:

“So, Mr. DeJoy, I’m concerned,” Porter replied. “I’m glad you know the price of a stamp, but I’m concerned about your understanding of this agency. And I’m particularly concerned about it because you started taking very decisive action when you became postmaster general.” Porter noted the unplugging of mail-sorting machines, changing employee procedures, and locking collection boxes.

Porter then asked DeJoy if he had analyzed the major overhaul plans before they took effect. DeJoy responded that he “did not order major overhaul plans” and that they were in effect before he arrived.

So Porter asked if DeJoy could say who did put those plans in place. “If you did not order these actions to be taken, please tell the committee the name of who did.”

I do not know,” DeJoy responded.

When Porter asked if he would commit to reversing the changes, DeJoy replied that he would not.

Porter’s direct questioning helped get at two of the central questions that are still unclear about DeJoy’s tenure at the USPS: whether he knew the recent changes would cause delays in delivering the mail, and how seriously lawmakers should take his assurances that these delays will be temporary and not affect mail-in voting.

This is one of many cases involving a Republican public official where it would be even worse if he was telling the truth than if he was lying.

All of Porter’s questioning, for what it’s worth, was excellent:

It's worth watching all of Rep. Katie Porter's questioning.

PORTER: You don't know the cost to mail a postcard?
DEJOY: I don't … I'll submit that I know very little about postage stamps.
…
PORTER: I'm concerned about your understanding of this agency.pic.twitter.com/cwqP6EdAvE— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 24, 2020