Key Takeaways:
– President-Elect Donald Trump is contemplating privatizing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
– Progressives strongly object to this idea, accusing Trump of undermining public programs.
– Trump’s appointment of Louis DeJoy, a logistics executive, as Postmaster General has been controversial.
– Critics say the USPS’s fiscal difficulties are due to a 2006 retired benefits pre-funding mandate.
– They insist that the USPS is an essential service supported by the majority of Americans.
Trump Eyes Privatization of USPS
There’s official chatter indicating that President-Elect Donald Trump is seriously considering initiatives to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This proposition has sparked widespread disapproval from progressives. They argue this move would be a critical blow to the national asset that is USPS.
Trump’s Candidacy for a USPS Privatization Plan
Trump has reportedly assumed a proactive stance on a scheme that would hand over the USPS to private, profit-seeking entities. The move follows recent discussions with his team, building on his known antipathy to government programs that cater to public interest.
Trump’s discussions on transforming the USPS occurred at his Mar-a-Lago estate with Howard Lutnick. Lutnick is Trump’s choice for commerce secretary and co-chair of his presidential transition. Trump believes the government shouldn’t subsidize an organization that registers annual financial losses.
Concerns Over Current USPS Leadership
Trump’s appointment of former logistics industry executive Louis DeJoy as Postmaster General in 2020 raised alarm about the GOP’s intentions. Critics claimed that this was part of a larger plan to weaken the USPS from within.
Despite constant calls to dismiss DeJoy during Trump’s time in office and President Biden’s administration, he continues to serve. Critics maintain that DeJoy’s endgame is to reduce the USPS’s operational scale to justify its eventual dissolution.
Trump’s Specific Plans Remain Unclear
While Trump’s precise blueprint for revamping the Postal Service isn’t clear as yet, it seems his ideas center on private sector performance. Casey Mulligan, previously a top economic advisor during Trump’s tenure, supports this view. He cites the drawbacks of USPS operations, highlighting its slow and costly service delivery.
Progressive Response to Privatization
However, this notion has sparked a backlash from progressives, who continue to defend the USPS, one of the most cherished agencies among Americans. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) emphasized that the USPS is enshrined in the constitution and shouldn’t be at Trump’s disposal. Nina Turner, former Ohio state senator, also highlighted the USPS’s approval rate of 72% among Americans, emphasizing its role in delivering medication, particularly to rural areas.
The USPS’s Fiscal Challenges
Critics of the attacks on the USPS from right-wing factions have noted that the agency’s ‘financial performance issues’ are the result of unneeded burdens. These include the USPS liability pre-funding clause in the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, compelling the USPS to allocate billions annually to future retirement benefits for postal workers.
An Essential Asset for All
Regardless of political leanings, many agree that the USPS is a crucial asset, established and owned by the American public. They assert there’s no public authorization to hand over this essential service to a single oligarch.