Trump eyes control of U.S. Postal Service – Here’s what you need to know
President Trump is reportedly considering a plan to privatize the United States Postal Service.
President Donald Trump has proposed integrating the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) into the Commerce Department, aiming to address the agency's longstanding financial challenges. This move represents an important policy shift, that would transition the USPS from its current independent status to a federal entity under executive branch oversight.
Trump believes that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's business expertise could help reverse the USPS's financial decline. However, this change goes beyond this matter, as the way Americans receive their mail could potentially be altered permanently. This includes online shopping, but also groceries, checks, and prescription medicine.
Why does Trump want to privatize USPS?
Over the years, USPS has faced persistent financial struggles, reporting losses that exceed $100 billion, which increased due to a decline in first-class mail volumes. In response, in 2021 Postmaster General Louis DeJoy introduced a 10-year plan aimed at modernizing operations and achieving financial stability. Despite the effort, the agency's fiscal health remains a concern.
In that sense, Trump's current proposal to merge the USPS with the Commerce Department represents the latest in a series of efforts to revamp the agency and reduce deficits. As the debate continues, the future of the USPS will likely depend on legislative actions and the outcomes of ongoing discussions among policymakers, stakeholders, and users.
What you need to know about a possible USPS takeover
The proposal has already sparked debate. Democratic Senator Gary Peters argues that the merger could adversely affect veterans, small business owners, and other Americans who rely on timely mail delivery. USPS is a service currently obligated to deliver packages to all corners of America. If Trump's plans come to fruition, this might change drastically.
Furthermore, critics say that integrating the USPS into the Commerce Department may violate federal laws designed to maintain the agency's independence. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish and regulate postal services, suggesting that any structural modifications would require legislative approval.