Trump says he would sign USPS for legislation, but will not seek changes to email

President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew Bob Woodward book will contain details of 25 personal letters between Trump and Kim Jong Un On The Money: Pelosi, Mnuchin talk, but make no progress on ending stalemate | Trump seizes ‘third track’ of policy with payroll tax break | Trump uses racist tropes to repeat honest housing to ‘suburban housewife’. Biden commemorates anniversary of Charlottesville’s ‘Unite the Right’ rally: ‘We are in a battle for the soul of our nation’ MORE on Thursday said he would be willing to sign legislation that includes funding for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), but rejected the idea that the agency should reverse policy that Democratic lawmakers warn against restricting post-vote.

The president’s remarks at a White House press conference ended a day that began with him signaling opposition to USPS funding because he did not want the money to be used to gain access to mail-in voting. to widen.

Despite showing some openness to funding agencies later in the day, Trump continued to make misleading claims about ballot papers and questioned the potential outcome of the November election.

“Sure. A separate thing I would do. But one of the reasons the post office needs so much money is to get all those millions of ballots from now on,” Trump said at the news conference.

After initially saying he was against the Post Office giving more money for the election, Trump now says he would not veto legislation that increases its funding https://t.co/Nj065CIsxp pic.twitter.com/hbKEphRsZP

– CBS News (@CBSNews) August 13, 2020

The president opposed his opposition to another coronavirus delivery package was not based on funding from post offices, but was more about Democrats’ request for help to cities and states, which he described as a “bailout.”

But when asked if he would be willing to urge the postmaster general to undermine some of the policies that Democrats have criticized as undermining the credibility of the Postal Service, Trump would not care.

“No, not at all. No, I would not do that at all. No,” he said. “I want the post office to run smoothly, which makes sense. They would need a lot more money if they were going to take in tens of millions of votes that just don’t come out of the air anymore.”

Election officials expect voters to rely more heavily on e-mail voting in November because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to fewer polling stations and concerns about individuals who take risks personally.

Trump has repeatedly vowed to vote by mail, claiming it will lead to a “rigged” and “fraudulent” election result. Experts say there is not much significant fraud associated with emails.

Trump indicated earlier in the day that he was opposed to USPS funding because the universal post-in vote would help this fall.

“They want $ 25 billion for the post office. Now, they need that money to run the post office so it can take all those millions and millions of votes,” Trump said. “Now in the meantime, they do not get there. In fact, those are just two items. But if they do not get those two items, it means you do not have a universal mail-in vote, because they are not equipped to do it. have. “

Democrats have raised $ 25 billion in USPS funding, an amount Speaker said Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: Pelosi, Mnuchin talk but make no progress on ending stalemate | Trump seizes ‘third track’ of policy with payroll tax break | Trump uses racist tropes to repeat honest housing to ‘suburban housewife’ Bass in filling out Harris’ Senate spot: ‘I’ll keep all my options open’ Win by credible QAnon causes new headache for House GOP MORE (D-Calif.) Said Thursday was recommended by the agency’s board. Democratic leaders have proposed an additional $ 3.5 billion in additional funding to use for election resources amid the pandemic.

The Postal Service is embroiled in a political battle amid the pandemic, with Democrats worried that Trump’s nominee to lead the agency could undermine the delivery of postal ballots in November.

House Presidents of Home and Supervision and Reform Carolyn MaloneyCarolyn Bosher MaloneyThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden, Harris make first public appearance as running mates House Oversight chair introduces Postal Service change bill amid coronavirus pandemic Angel: IG report shows Pompeo’s ‘shameful’ use of emergency declaration in arms sales MORE (DN.Y.) on Wednesday introduced legislation that would block USPS from carrying out a series of changes during the pandemic.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently announced that the service was removing two top officials for overseeing day-to-day operations. An organization chart also indicated that 23 post officials were reappointed and five staff members left their positions for new roles in leadership.