The Trump administration is reportedly considering steps that could grant it more control over the independent US Postal Service (USPS), according to multiple published reports. This potential move could significantly impact how Americans receive critical deliveries, including online purchases, prescription drugs, checks, and vote-by-mail ballots.
The Washington Post reported late Thursday, citing numerous anonymous sources, that President Donald Trump plans to disband the USPS Board of Governors and place the agency under the direct control of the Commerce Department and Secretary Howard Lutnick. The Wall Street Journal echoed this report on Friday, citing government officials who discussed the plan to dissolve the commission.
While the Postal Service did not respond to requests for comment, a White House official denied any intention from Trump to sign such an order. "This is not true. No such EO (executive order) is in the works, and Secretary Lutnick is not pushing for such an EO," a White House official told CNN.
Despite the White House denial, the question of whether there is intent to privatize the service remains unanswered. President Trump has previously expressed support for privatization. The Post reported that the USPS governing board is taking the threat seriously enough to hold an emergency meeting Thursday. They have retained outside counsel with instructions to sue the White House if the president attempts to remove board members or alter the agency's independent status.
Trump has previously removed members from other federal agencies like the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which affected their ability to function and provide public protections.
Although some countries have privatized their postal services, a plan to privatize the 250-year-old service, which predates the formation of the United States, could drastically change delivery methods in America. The USPS is required by law to deliver to all addresses, even those in rural areas that are not profitable for private businesses. Many online purchases managed by private companies, such as United Parcel Service, rely on the USPS for the "last mile" of delivery to homes.
In December, then President-elect Trump mentioned that privatizing the USPS is "not the worst idea I've ever heard." During a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, he said, "It's an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time. We're looking at it." However, Trump dropped previous plans to privatize the service in 2018 during his first term.
Privatizing the USPS would likely require Congressional approval due to federal laws that govern the service. These laws include requirements for universal delivery and prohibitions against USPS employee strikes. With a workforce of 630,000, 91% of whom are covered by union contracts, the USPS is the nation's largest unionized employer. It remains uncertain whether these laws would persist in a privatized USPS.
The American Postal Workers Union issued a statement condemning the idea of disbanding the board of governors or 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 home and business equally," stated the 200-member union. "Any attack on the Postal Service would be part of the billionaire oligarch coup, directed not just at the postal workers our union represents, but the millions of Americans who rely on the critical public service our members provide every single day."
Despite financial struggles over the years, the USPS recently reported $144 million in net income for the final three months of 2024. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center in July, the USPS is among the most popular parts of the federal government, with a 72% approval rating. It ranks just behind the National Park Service and ahead of NASA, with both Democrats and Republicans expressing more positive than negative views about the agency.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported which oversight board President Trump is considering disbanding. It is the USPS Board of Governors.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
