Who empowered the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate postal offenses?

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service was empowered to investigate postal offenses by Congress, which established the Postal Inspection Service under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970. This act granted the Inspection Service its authority to enforce laws relating to the postal system and investigate crimes involving the use of the mail. By doing so, Congress recognized the necessity of having a dedicated agency responsible for maintaining the integrity of the postal system and protecting it from criminal activity, which includes fraud, theft, and other offenses.

In contrast, the other entities mentioned, such as the President, the Supreme Court, and the Postal Regulatory Commission, do not have the authority to grant investigative powers to law enforcement agencies like the Postal Inspection Service. The President may influence law enforcement priorities through executive actions, while the Supreme Court interprets laws and their constitutionality. The Postal Regulatory Commission primarily focuses on regulating postal rates and ensuring fair postal service practices, not on criminal investigations.