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To reiterate, a false narrative has developed that the two steps we have taken to improve efficiency—running on time and on schedule and realigning our organizational structure—are somehow designed to harm the ability of voters to use the mail to vote.  Further, this false narrative has turned matters that have either been long planned or are part of long-standing processes in place for years—well before my arrival 67 days ago—such as the routine equipment reductions and the regular removal of low-volume collection boxes, into attacks on the election.  Even the recommendations that we have been making for years, like asking election officials to use First-Class Mail when sending blank ballots to voters or urging voters to return their ballots one week before the election, have been turned into accusations that we are degrading the service provided to Election Mail.

While this narrative is fundamentally false and unfair, there is also no doubt that it is hurting the Postal Service’s valued reputation as a source of reliability and strength for the American people.  And, it could serve to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.  Managing the Postal Service in an efficient and effective manner cannot succeed if everything is politicized; this was a key insight that led to the creation of an independent Postal Service in the first place.  In such an atmosphere, it becomes impossible for the Postal Service to do the job that Congress has tasked us to do, and that it is my solemn duty to uphold. 

Therefore, and as I announced earlier this week, I have decided to pause the implementation of our future transformative efforts until after the election.