President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to dissolve the leadership of the U.S. Postal Service and incorporate the independent mail agency into his administration. This move has the potential to disrupt the 250-year-old mail provider and the trillions of dollars in e-commerce transactions it facilitates.
Trump is expected to issue an executive order soon, which would involve firing members of the Postal Service’s governing board. The plan is to place the agency under the control of the Commerce Department and Secretary Howard Lutnick. Sources familiar with the plans, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisals, shared this information.
The board is reportedly gearing up to counter Trump’s order. An emergency meeting was held, during which the board retained outside counsel and authorized legal action against the White House if necessary to maintain the agency’s independent status.
Notably, two Republican members of the board, Derek Kan and Mike Duncan, were absent from this meeting and have not commented on the situation.
Experts suggest that Trump's order to integrate the Postal Service into the Commerce Department would likely violate federal law. Another recent executive order aimed at aligning independent agencies with the White House is also expected to face legal challenges. However, the Postal Service, by law, is generally exempt from such orders.
The governing board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, adding another layer of complexity to this issue.
Encouraged by Lutnick, Trump has considered privatizing the Postal Service. In line with these discussions, his presidential transition team vetted candidates to replace the current Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. DeJoy, a key figure since 2020, recently announced plans to resign.
James O’Rourke, a Postal Service expert from the University of Notre Dame, criticized the potential move as undermining oversight and fairness, emphasizing that the Postal Service is a public entity belonging to the American people.
Following the publication of this information, a White House spokesperson indicated that no such executive order was planned. The Postal Service did not respond to requests for comment.
The immediate effects of moving the Postal Service under the Commerce Department’s purview remain uncertain. The Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees the mail system, could also be impacted, though the specifics are unclear.
The U.S. mail system, from its inception in 1775 until 1970, functioned as a political arm of the White House. However, the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 transformed it into a freestanding organization to avoid political interference.
The Postal Service is consistently ranked among the most-beloved government agencies by Americans. A 2024 study by the Pew Research Center found over 70% of Americans held a favorable view of the agency, a sentiment shared across political lines.
Trump's administration has previously tested the agency’s independence. Steven Mnuchin, the former Treasury Secretary, attempted to control the hiring of DeJoy and recommended shrinking the agency’s scope to prepare for privatization.
Trump’s proposed changes have drawn sharp criticism from congressional Democrats, who view privatization as a threat to Americans’ access to essential services.
Trump has maintained a contentious relationship with the Postal Service, often criticizing it publicly. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, he threatened to withhold emergency funds unless the agency increased package prices. Despite these challenges, the Postal Service successfully facilitated mail-in voting during the 2020 election.
Under DeJoy's leadership, the Postal Service has embarked on a cost-cutting and modernization plan. While it recently reported a profit, delivery service performance has been inconsistent, leading to criticism and legislative scrutiny.
As Republicans express concern about the agency’s alignment with the Biden administration, the future of the Postal Service remains uncertain amidst these proposed changes.
