- U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has resigned and a search for his successor has begun. DeJoy announced the move effective immediately on Monday.
- DeJoy’s abrupt departure comes amid protests against potential efforts to privatize the United States Postal Service by the Trump administration.
- DeJoy led to a major restructure of the postal service during his five years as the head of the agency.
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U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned from his position. DeJoy announced his resignation effective immediately on Monday, March 24, directing the United States Postal Service’s governing board to begin the search for his successor.
DeJoy, who has been postmaster general since 2020, said in a statement, “Much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory.”
Who will now serve as head of USPS?
DeJoy said Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will serve as the agency’s head until a permanent successor is hired.
DeJoy led efforts to restructure the USPS over the last half decade, including cutting cumulative losses in half from roughly $160 billion to $80 billion.
He was expected to step down this year but not in such an abrupt manner. However, the reasons behind the quick departure are unclear.
What is the bigger picture?
The move comes as U.S. postal workers around the country protest potential efforts by the Trump administration to privatize the agency.
On March 18, DeJoy announced plans to slash 10,000 jobs and cut billions of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service budget while acknowledging plans to work with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to identify “further inefficiencies.”
What have Trump and Musk said about USPS?
Musk and President Donald Trump expressed support for privatizing the postal service.
Trump also suggested the postal service be put under Commerce Department control, putting it within the authority of the Executive Branch.
The postal service has been an independent entity since 1970.
How many employees are at USPS?
The agency has around 640,000 employees and postal worker union representatives said any efforts to privatize it will drive up costs and decrease services, most severely impacting rural areas.
