A wild hearing in Congress descended into a shouting match on Tuesday, prompting the chief of the United States Postal Service to dramatically cover his ears with his hands.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy had been brought before Congress to testify about the agency’s performance and modernization efforts.
The outcry came during a House Oversight Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the US Postal Service.”
During the exchange, Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick blasted DeJoy for his poor performance leading the agency.
When DeJoy gave himself an “A grade” for his tenure, the Republican exploded.
“You, sir, are not going to get an A grade, you can’t give yourself that grade,” McCormick said.
“I just did,” DeJoy shot back curtly.
‘You can’t! You can’t grade your own paper!’ McCormick shouted back. “You have been judged by the American people and they are no longer using your service.”
As McCormick continued, DeJoy told the Republican he was talking to himself, then held up his hands to cover his ears to mock the lawmaker.
Louis DeJoy was selected to serve as postmaster general under Donald Trump
During an oversight hearing into his actions on Tuesday, he mocked Republican Rich McCormick by covering his ears while the lawmaker talked to him.
DeJoy covered his ears and looked away as McCormick spoke to him
When DeJoy pulled the stunt, McCormick seemed struck with disbelief.
“I hope you have that on camera,” the Republican said. “This is the answer the postmaster just gave to Congress when he doesn’t like what he hears. He literally covered his ears and gives himself an A grade.”
During the hearing, committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., noted that the USPS will have lost nearly $10 billion by 2024. The estimated loss for USPS next year will be $6.5 billion.
“You are responsible for the fall of the Postal Service,” McCormick told DeJoy.
“No, Congress is responsible for the fall of the Postal Service,” the postmaster replied. “I’m trying to fix the postal service.”
Under DeJoy, the agency has sought to add more than 100,000 employees to its ranks.
Some lawmakers argue that adding that number of employees to an agency marred by revenue, supply and modernization problems could be a task for the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Speaking to Dailymail.com after the hearing, Comer suggested that the USPS could use cost savings, and that Elon Musk’s DOGE could be the perfect vehicle to downsize the agency.
McCormick started covering his ears after the stunt DeJoy pulled
Comer told DailyMail.com that the USPS should be investigated by DOGE for wasting public money
When asked what he’s most excited about seeing DOGE in action, Comer said, “The Post Office just hired 100,000 new employees.”
He said the agency’s usefulness and mission have also diminished over time, and its costs have reached eye-watering heights.
Comer said, “Every government agency has created new programs and new grant programs. We have all this money and energy spending on solar, wind and energy initiatives in the Green New Deal that people don’t think are working.
“We’ve spent all this money on broadband, but no one is addicted to broadband.”
He added: ‘The list goes on and on and on and on and on, with money just absolutely wasted.’