Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Resigns Amid Growing Controversy

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2025 — U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced his resignation on Monday, marking the end of his nearly five-year tenure leading the U.S. Postal Service. His departure follows mounting calls for reform and potential privatization amidst scrutiny from the Trump administration.

DeJoy, whose term began in June 2020 during President Donald Trump‘s first term, stated that he had informed the Postal Service Board of Governors about his intention to step down. Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will serve as interim leader until a permanent successor is appointed.

In a statement, DeJoy expressed confidence in the postal service’s current trajectory, asserting, “I believe strongly that the organization is well positioned and capable of carrying forward and fully implementing the many strategies and initiatives that comprise our transformation and modernization.” He emphasized that more work was necessary to sustain the agency’s positive momentum.

Under DeJoy’s leadership, the Postal Service faced significant challenges, including financial losses attributed to declining mail volumes and increased operational costs. Critics argue that his policies, which included consolidating processing centers, led to slower service and longer delivery times, particularly for rural communities.

DeJoy’s controversial approach included advocating for raises in postage rates and significant staffing reductions. It was reported that approximately 30,000 positions had been cut since he took office, with plans to eliminate an additional 10,000 employees through voluntary retirement.

His resignation coincides with the Trump administration’s attempt to gain more control over USPS operations. In recent weeks, Trump had floated the idea of placing the agency under the oversight of the Commerce Department, a move that has sparked concern among union leaders and democratic lawmakers regarding the potential for privatization.

Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, urged that the next postmaster general should oppose privatization, warning that such a model would likely lead to increased postal rates and degraded service quality. He remarked, “Privatized postal services will lead to higher postage prices, and a lower quality of service to the public.”

DeJoy led the USPS through two presidential elections that saw a significant increase in mail-in voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While he introduced reforms aimed at financial stability, the backlash against his strategies may have contributed to the unrest among postal workers, some of whom protested last weekend against cuts and potential privatization.

The search for DeJoy’s successor is expected to begin in the coming days, though no timeline for an announcement has been established yet. The future direction of the USPS remains uncertain as it grapples with ongoing financial pressures and changes in leadership.