Comer, Hice question USPS IG over handling of mail-in ballot whistleblower complaint

House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer and Government Operations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jody Hice wrote a letter to United States Postal Service Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb concerning the handling of a testimony made by Richard Hopkins, a United States Postal Service employee in Erie, PA.

Hopkins gave a testimony and provided a subsequent sworn statement to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

According to the letter, later that evening the Oversight Committee Democrats launched a Twitter thread that publicized facts that were told by Hopkins during his testimony. The tweets alleged that Hopkins signed a false affidavit.

This information was reported by The Washington Post and other outlets.

“Nevertheless, shortly after the Democrats’ tweets, multiple videos surfaced containing what appear to be recordings of part of Hopkins’ interview with OIG agents. Portions of the recording show OIG agents pressuring Hopkins into clarifying his statement by reviewing his recollection of events he witnessed. In Hopkins’ new statement, as documented in the recording and apparently amended with the assistance of the OIG agents, he did not witness any explicitly illicit activities—a story more favorable to Democrats and the news media’s broad dismissal of the public’s valid concerns about the integrity of mass mail-in voting,” the letter wrote.

In a statement by Comer, he said, “there is public confusion about these allegations and the Office of the Inspector General owes the American people and Congress an explanation for their actions surrounding Richard Hopkins’ USPS whistleblower complaint.”

He added, “Our elections are of pivotal importance to our country, and a potential disruption of our elections must be thoroughly and accurately investigated and follow all proper procedures. American citizens deserve absolute transparency surrounding our electoral process and any potential flaws or issues in the system.”

Comer and Hice now demand additional materials related to Hopkins’ case and ask that they brief Committee staff on the investigation.