1. How does this series of events demonstrate the concept of "checks and balances" among the three branches of government?

The United States Postal Service is governed by a Board that normally consists of up to nine governors appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. The nine governors select the Postmaster-General, who becomes a member of the Board, and those 10selectthe DeputyPostmaster General, who also serves on the Board. On May 6, 2020, the USPS Board of Governors, all selected by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate, announced Louis DeJoy's appointmentasPostmaster Generaland CEO.

The US Postal Service, under the direction of the newly appointed Postmaster General, began to implement a number of changes to its operations. Many of these changes were not widely known until after they had been undertaken. Subsequently, the Washington State Attorney General filed amotion for preliminary injunctionDownload motion for preliminary injunction U.S. District Court,to stop certain policies and practicesordered by the Postmaster-General that werelikely to have a detrimental effect on the voting process in the upcoming election.

Among the demands listed in the motion against the postal service were the following:

• Immediately stop its "leave mail behind" policy, where postal trucks are required to leave at specified times, regardless if there is mail still to be loaded
• Continue its longstanding practice of treating all election mail as First Class mail, regardless of the paid postage
• Replace, reassemble or reconnect any removed mail-sorting machines that are needed to ensure timely processing and delivery of election mail
• Abide by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's public commitment to suspend the recent policy changes that have affected mail service until after the election