President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating a significant restructuring of the United States Postal Service (USPS), aiming to dissolve its governing board and integrate the agency into the Department of Commerce.
This initiative aligns with efforts by Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk to curtail federal expenditures.
According to The Post Millennial, the Trump administration's proposal would place the USPS under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department, led by Secretary Howard Lutnick. This plan, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, is anticipated to face resistance from USPS. In a December address at Mar-a-Lago, Trump hinted at the possibility of privatizing the postal service, underscoring his commitment to reducing government involvement in business operations.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has announced his resignation, having served half of his intended 10-year term. While there have been discussions about Trump potentially removing DeJoy, the White House has denied any such plans. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, with Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) asserting, The US Postal Service is wildly popular with the American people, and its service is essential and irreplaceable. Beyer further described the proposal as unconstitutional and corrupt, labeling it brazenly illegal.
Mark Dimondstein, President of the American Postal Workers Union, which represents approximately 200,000 USPS employees, expressed strong opposition. If the rumors are true, firing the Postal Services Board of Governors and transferring control is an outrageous and unlawful hostile takeover, essentially a raid on an independently operated public institution, he stated.
The USPS has faced financial difficulties for years, largely due to declining mail volumes amid competition from private sector rivals. In Fiscal Year 2024, the agency reported a net loss of $9.5 billion. Despite its financial woes, the USPS operates without direct government funding, relying instead on revenue from postage and other services.
This restructuring proposal raises questions about the future of the USPS and its role in serving the American public, as the agency grapples with the challenges of modernizing its operations while maintaining its independence.
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