The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service is preparing for a potential takeover attempt by the Trump administration. The board has hired outside counsel to fight any executive order that might be issued.
The board's concerns stem from a meeting between President Trump and his newly appointed commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick. During the meeting, Lutnick reportedly discussed plans to dissolve USPS leadership and fold the agency into the Department of Commerce.
The Postal Service is authorized by the Constitution and was created by an act of Congress. The board believes that any executive order targeting the Postal Service would be unconstitutional.
House Democrats have also urged Trump to abandon any plans to disband the Postal Service's leadership. They argue that such a move would put at risk the timely delivery of essential services, especially in rural areas.
The American Postal Workers Union has also condemned any potential takeover attempt. The union argues that such a move would reduce service, raise rates, and close post offices.
The discussions on the USPS come as the recently established Department of Government Efficiency has slashed dozens of federal programs and cut thousands of government jobs. The cuts are part of an effort by Trump and Musk to overhaul the federal government.
Any efforts to dismantle the Postal Service would not be an anomaly under the Trump administration. The administration has already sought to fold aspects of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Education into other agencies.
Republican Louis DeJoy, head of the USPS for the last five years, announced plans to step down as postmaster general this week. DeJoy's relationship with Trump has been strained since the 2020 election, when Trump blamed his loss to Joe Biden on mail-in voting.
11 Comments
Loubianka
The USPS loses billions of dollars every year. It's time to stop subsidizing a failing service and let private companies compete.
Katchuka
The Department of Government Efficiency is doing the right thing by cutting wasteful spending. The USPS needs to be part of that efficiency drive.
Noir Black
Trump is shaking things up and that's a good thing. The USPS needs a shake-up to become more efficient and responsive to the needs of the public.
Matzomaster
Congress needs to focus on other priorities, not on propping up a failing government agency like the USPS.
Karamba
The USPS is a bloated bureaucracy that needs to be modernized and made more efficient. Privatization could be the answer.
Comandante
The USPS is a vital public service, essential for our democracy and economy. It's unconscionable that Trump would even consider dismantling it.
Africa
privatizing the USPS would be disastrous. We need to protect this vital institution.
Bella Ciao
Congress must act now to protect the USPS from Trump's attacks. This is a service that belongs to the American people.
Muchacha
The American Postal Workers Union is protecting its own interests, not the public's. They're fighting modernization and progress.
Muchacho
The Constitution protects the USPS. Let's not let Trump violate it for his own personal gain.
Coccinella
Thank you, Board of Governors, for standing up for the USPS. We need more leaders like you who are willing to defend our democracy.