President Trump’s expected plan to take direct control of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by placing it under the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) is a dangerous move that would undermine the Post Office’s independence, disrupt mail and package delivery, and likely result in politically motivated decisions on pricing and service levels.
This proposal flies in the face of decades of policy designed to keep USPS independent, ensuring that it operates in a way that balances cost, competition, and service obligations without undue political interference. If the Trump administration is serious about improving USPS, it should focus on modernizing operations and fostering public-private collaboration, rather than a hostile takeover that could cripple the institution.
For decades, USPS has operated as an independent agency, with pricing decisions overseen by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to prevent unfair competition and ensure that postal rates reflect operational costs rather than political pressure. Historically, private carriers such as United Parcel Service and FedEx have lobbied USPS to raise package rates to make their own services more competitive.
