Trump Plans Radical Overhaul of U.S. Postal Service Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is taking significant steps to restructure the U.S. Postal Service by dissolving its governing board and placing the agency under the control of the Commerce Department, according to sources familiar with the plan. An executive order could be issued as early as this week, signaling a potential shift toward privatization of the 250-year-old mail service.

The move, which some experts claim may violate federal law, has sparked immediate concerns from the Postal Service’s bipartisan board. In an emergency meeting held Thursday, board members retained outside counsel and expressed intentions to sue the White House if Trump attempts to remove them from their positions or alter the Postal Service’s independent status.

Trump has previously entertained the idea of privatizing thePostal Service, as indicated by his remarks in December, where he stated, “It’s an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time.” His presidential transition team had also reviewed candidates to take over as Postmaster General, following Louis DeJoy‘s anticipated resignation this week.

According to unnamed sources, if Trump proceeds with the dissolution of the board and the directive to bring the Postal Service under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department led by Secretary Howard Lutnick, it would likely face significant legal challenges. Postal experts note that the Postal Service operates under a unique framework of federal laws protecting its independence, established by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.

James O’Rourke, a Postal Service expert at the University of Notre Dame‘s Mendoza College of Business, criticized Trump’s approach. “This is a somewhat regal approach that says the king knows better than his subjects,” he stated. “This does not belong to the president or the White House. It belongs to the American people.”

While the Trump administration did not respond to requests for comment, representatives of the Postal Service affirmed their commitment to fighting any actions that threaten its operations. Congressional Democrats have also voiced opposition to the privatization, warning that it could diminish Americans’ access to essential services, including mail-in voting and medical deliveries.

The U.S. Postal Service has been financially strained for years but reported a net income of $144 million in the last quarter of 2024. The agency has faced challenges under DeJoy’s leadership, including service delays and contentious relations with the current administration. In the past, Trump had publicly criticized the service, labeling it “a joke” and deriding it as Amazon’s “Delivery Boy.”

Any move toward privatization would require Congressional approval due to existing laws governing the Postal Service’s operations. The potential changes have raised alarm among the 600,000 unionized employees, who may face uncertainty regarding their employment and the future of mail delivery across the nation.

As this situation develops, both supporters and opponents of Trump’s plan are gearing up for a contentious battle over the future of the Postal Service, an institution that plays a crucial role in American society.