US News : Louis DeJoy resigned as the head of the U.S. Postal Service on Monday, stepping down from his role at a time when the agency faces increasing pressure for privatization and scrutiny from the Trump administration.
Resignation of the US Postal Service Head DeJoy
In a statement issued by USPS, DeJoy acknowledged the positive changes made during his tenure, calling the agency "a long-adrift and struggling organization" that had seen beneficial improvements under his leadership. However, he emphasized that more work was still needed "to maintain our positive momentum."
"It has been one of the greatest privileges and accomplishments of my career to have served this esteemed institution," DeJoy said.
He also mentioned that Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will temporarily lead the agency until the USPS Board of Governors selects a permanent successor. USPS clarified that there is no set timeline for announcing DeJoy's replacement.
DeJoy's Tenure as Head of the U.S. Postal Service
DeJoy, who was appointed as postmaster general during the agency's financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, had announced his decision to step down in February.
The former businessman and Republican donor led the USPS through the challenges of the pandemic and two high-turnout presidential elections with increased mail-in voting.
In 2021, he introduced a 10-year plan to address the agency's ongoing financial losses.
Some of his initiatives, such as efforts to consolidate delivery networks, received criticism for slowing down services. He also advocated for raising postage rates, arguing in 2022 that Americans should expect "uncomfortable" rate hikes to improve the agency’s financial stability. When DeJoy took office, the cost of a First-Class domestic stamp was $0.55, but it has since risen to $0.73.
Privatization of the US Postal Service
Despite a four-year reorganization effort aimed at reducing costs and boosting efficiency, former President Donald Trump has called for further changes. Trump proposed giving Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick oversight of the USPS, shifting control from its board of governors to a Cabinet secretary.
“We want a postal service that operates effectively and doesn’t lose vast amounts of money, and we're considering a merger to achieve that,” Trump stated at Lutnick's swearing-in ceremony in February, shortly after DeJoy's resignation announcement. "It’ll still be the Postal Service, but it will function far better than it has in recent years."
This proposal could mark the beginning of privatization, a shift supported by tech billionaire and White House adviser Elon Musk earlier this month.
Soon after, DeJoy informed Congress that he had signed an agreement allowing Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to collaborate with the USPS. The focus would be on improving USPS management of retirement assets and the Workers' Compensation Program, which DeJoy argued had been "mismanaged."
Reduced Workforce
Since 2021, the USPS has reduced its workforce by about 30,000 employees, with plans to cut an additional 10,000 through a voluntary early retirement program. The agency currently employs around 635,000 people nationwide.
Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, urged the USPS to select a new postmaster general who opposes privatization, warning that the White House aims to dismantle and privatize the postal service.
"I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, this attack on the USPS is part of an ongoing effort by oligarchs to undermine public services that our members and other public servants provide to the country," Dimondstein remarked. "Privatized postal services will lead to higher postage rates and lower service quality for the public."
