Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Resigns As Trump Eyes Major USPS Revamp

Source: YouTube

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned Monday, ending his nearly five-year tenure as head of the U.S. Postal Service. His departure comes just as the Trump administration pushes sweeping changes that could dismantle USPS as we know it. Among the boldest proposals is a merger with the Commerce Department—possibly the first step toward privatization.

DeJoy had announced plans to retire back in February, stating he would remain until a successor was chosen. Instead, Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will take over on an interim basis while the Board of Governors begins a national search. DeJoy emphasized that he believes the USPS is on a “positive trajectory,” but admitted “much work remains.”

That measured tone masks rising tensions behind the scenes. Trump officials reportedly clashed with DeJoy over access to agency systems. However, Louis DeJoy refused to hand over broad internal control to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and insisted on formal briefings. This resistance may have hastened pressure for his early exit.

Louis DeJoy’s Legacy Defined by Controversy and Reform

Louis DeJoy’s appointment in 2020 was controversial from the start. A longtime GOP donor with no previous postal experience, he arrived as the pandemic forced a shift toward mail-in voting. Critics feared he was sent to undermine the process. Yet DeJoy weathered the scrutiny and stayed on through two election cycles.

His hallmark initiative, “Delivering for America,” included major cost-cutting reforms: consolidating mail routes, slowing delivery times, and raising postage prices. The price of a First-Class stamp has jumped from 55 cents in 2019 to 73 cents today—an increase DeJoy defended as necessary to balance USPS finances.

He also cut roughly 30,000 jobs during his term and planned to eliminate 10,000 more through voluntary early retirement. His focus on cost-cutting often clashed with expectations that USPS remain a public service rather than a business.

Unions and consumer advocates warned his reforms would degrade service. Over the weekend, postal workers staged protests demanding a new direction and rejecting the Trump administration’s rumored plans for privatization. According to union leaders, turning USPS into a profit-driven operation would raise costs for consumers and leave rural areas underserved.

Privatization Talks Accelerate as DeJoy Exits

Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have discussed moving USPS under Commerce’s jurisdiction. In February, the White House nearly issued an executive order to dissolve the USPS governing board and give Lutnick direct control. That effort paused after legal questions surfaced but remains under consideration.

Trump argues privatization or structural overhaul is needed to stop the USPS from “bleeding money.” The agency posted a $9.5 billion loss this fiscal year, up from $6.5 billion last year. While DeJoy’s reforms slowed the bleeding, critics claim they haven’t addressed deeper inefficiencies.

The involvement of DOGE also raises alarms. Though pitched as a cost-saving department, DOGE’s collaboration with USPS led to staff concerns about reduced oversight and potential overreach. DOGE officials were reportedly frustrated by DeJoy’s resistance to their methods and lack of system access.

With DeJoy out and the Trump-aligned Board of Governors controlling the next appointment, the new postmaster general could bring USPS closer to a full government overhaul—or a sale of assets to the private sector.

A Turning Point for America’s Mail System

What happens next could reshape the country’s most trusted public institution. For now, Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will steer the agency. But with Trump’s privatization agenda gaining steam, many fear that DeJoy’s resignation is only the beginning of deeper reforms.

Congress remains split. Some Republicans support a leaner, privatized postal system, while Democrats and labor groups warn of higher postage rates and reduced services for millions. The question is whether the next USPS leader will finish DeJoy’s modernization plan—or dismantle it.

At the very least, the legacy of Louis DeJoy is one of disruption—viewed by supporters as necessary reform and by critics as the start of a slow-motion dismantling of a public institution.

Should USPS continue DeJoy’s reforms or reject them to prevent privatization? Tell us what you think!

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