The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) plans to eliminate 10,000 positions and reduce its $78 billion budget in partnership with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a letter sent to Congress by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
DeJoy emphasized that this collaboration seeks to tackle significant issues within the USPS, including mismanagement of retirement assets and restrictive regulatory requirements. He stated, “This is an effort aligned with our efforts, as while we have accomplished a great deal, there is much more to be done.”
The USPS currently employs approximately 640,000 workers responsible for deliveries across diverse regions, from urban centers to remote areas. The planned reduction will occur over the next 30 days through a voluntary early retirement program, initially announced in January during the final days of the Biden administration.
Critics express concerns that these cuts could undermine the USPS’s ability to serve the public effectively. Democratic U.S. Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia argued that involving DOGE might lead to privatization, adversely affecting Americans who rely on the Postal Service. He warned, “This capitulation will have catastrophic consequences for all Americans—especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas—who rely on the Postal Service every day to deliver mail, medications, ballots, and more.”
The USPS has faced financial challenges, with declining first-class mail volumes and pressures for privatization. In 2021, the agency reduced its workforce by 30,000 employees. President Donald Trump has suggested placing the USPS under the Commerce Department’s control, further fueling debates about its future.
Brian L. Renfroe, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, opposes privatization efforts. He advocates for “common sense solutions” to address the USPS’s challenges, emphasizing the importance of preserving the jobs of 640,000 postal employees and the universal service that Americans depend on daily.
The collaboration with DOGE and the planned workforce reductions are part of a broader strategy to modernize and stabilize the USPS, ensuring its ability to serve the American public efficiently in the years to come.