The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is heading for a seismic shift as President Donald Trump prepares to fire its leadership and bring the independent mail agency under direct government control.
This move could disrupt trillions of dollars in e-commerce transactions and upend a service that has been a cornerstone of American life for 250 years.
What’s Happening With the Postal Service?
Trump is expected to issue an executive order this week to dissolve the Postal Service’s governing board and place the agency under the control of the Commerce Department, led by Secretary Howard Lutnick. According to sources familiar with the plan, the USPS would no longer operate as an independent entity, potentially paving the way for privatization.
The Postal Service’s governing board is pushing back. In an emergency meeting, board members hired outside legal counsel and signaled their intent to sue the White House if Trump proceeds with the order. Two Republican board members, Derek Kan and Mike Duncan, were notably absent from the meeting, raising questions about internal divisions within the board.
Why Is Trump Taking Control of USPS?
Trump has long criticized the Postal Service, accusing it of losing money and acting as Amazon’s “delivery boy.” With Lutnick’s support, Trump has floated the idea of privatizing USPS, citing competition from Amazon, UPS, and FedEx as reasons to overhaul the agency.
“There is a lot of talk about the Postal Service being taken private,” Trump said in December. “It’s an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time.”
What Does This Mean for Americans?
If Trump’s order goes through, the effects could be widespread. USPS handles millions of packages and letters daily, supporting small businesses, delivering medical supplies, and facilitating vote-by-mail programs. Any disruption could hit rural communities and e-commerce businesses particularly hard.
James O’Rourke, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, warned that the move could erode public trust in the Postal Service. “This is something that does not belong to the president or the White House. It belongs to the American people,” he said.
Is Privatization Next?
The Trump administration has explored privatizing USPS before. During Trump’s first term, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin pushed to shrink the agency’s scope and prepare it for a public offering. Now, with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) targeting government waste, USPS appears to be next on the chopping block.
Privatization could lead to higher delivery costs, especially in rural areas, where mail service is less profitable. It could also reduce mail delivery frequency and eliminate unprofitable routes.
What’s Next for USPS?
The Postal Service’s governing board is gearing up for a legal battle, but it’s unclear if they can stop Trump’s executive order. Meanwhile, Americans and businesses are bracing for potential delays, higher shipping costs, and the uncertainty of what a privatized USPS might look like.
As this story develops, one thing is certain: the future of the U.S. Postal Service—and the millions who rely on it—is hanging in the balance.
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