Louis DeJoy, a Republican who has led the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for the past five years, announced his plans to step down as postmaster general this week.
The USPS has operated independently since 1970, but former President Donald Trump is considering bringing it under the Department of Commerce’s control.
Trump has suggested that taking control of the USPS could improve its efficiency and financial stability, potentially affecting mail service for Long Island residents. “We want a post office that functions effectively and doesn’t suffer massive losses,” Trump stated. “We’re exploring this option, and while it will still be the Postal Service, we believe it will operate much better.”
Trump made these comments during the swearing-in of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He argued that such a move could curb losses at the $78 billion agency, which has struggled financially due to declining first-class mail usage.
“Howard has strong business instincts, and that’s exactly what we need. We’re looking into it, and we believe we can turn it around,” Trump said. “The Postal Service has been a tremendous financial burden on this country.”
Historically, the Postal Service was a political arm of the White House until Congress passed the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 following a nationwide mail strike. The law was designed to separate USPS from executive influence and prevent political interference, according to The Washington Post, which has reported on Trump’s discussions with Lutnick since December.
Before the act, presidents frequently appointed political allies as postmaster general and other leadership roles. However, Trump cannot privatize the USPS without congressional approval, as it is constitutionally authorized.
House Democrats recently urged Trump to abandon the idea of shifting USPS under Commerce Department control.
“Congress established a clear mandate for the Postal Service: to provide efficient, reliable, and universal service to all Americans,” wrote Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. “Your reported efforts to dismantle its independence would undermine the affordability and reliability of the postal system. We strongly urge you to abandon any plans to privatize or compromise the independence of USPS.”
Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican representing New York’s 1st Congressional District, emphasized the importance of USPS while criticizing its management.
“The USPS is a vital service for millions of Americans and must remain both reliable and efficient. Dedicated postal workers help keep communities connected. Unfortunately, USPS leadership has failed too many local areas, as seen with the mismanagement of the Sound Beach Post Office,” LaLota said. “That’s why I co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution with Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) to protect USPS as a public institution while advocating for necessary reforms and accountability.”
According to a Pew Research Center survey, the USPS remains one of the most popular federal agencies among Americans, with a 72% approval rating. Democrats polled at 76% approval, while Republicans stood at 68%. USPS ranked just behind the National Park Service and ahead of NASA in public favorability.
Jacob Bogage of The Washington Post, who first reported on Trump’s proposal, told PBS News Hour that making USPS political could eliminate its obligation to serve all Americans equally.
“A privatized or politically controlled Postal Service may no longer be required to provide universal service at consistent rates,” Bogage explained.
In some areas, USPS is the only mail or package delivery option, and private carriers like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS rely on it for their least profitable deliveries. This partnership has contributed to USPS posting a $144 million net profit in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
With 91% of postal workers covered by union contracts, labor organizations have strongly opposed any moves toward privatization.
“It would be an outrageous, unlawful attack on a storied national treasure enshrined in the Constitution and created by Congress to serve every American equally,” the American Postal Workers Union, which represents 200,000 workers, said in a statement. “Any attempt to undermine USPS is part of a broader effort benefiting billionaire elites at the expense of workers and the American public.”
Other unions share similar concerns.
“We’re very worried,” said Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents 200,000 active postal workers. “Any move toward privatization will lead to one outcome—higher costs and slower service for customers.”
