Does Trump have a point?
President Donald Trump has recently proposed a bold idea to merge the United States Postal Service (USPS) with the Commerce Department, an effort he believes could significantly enhance efficiency and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. During a briefing at the Oval Office on Friday, Trump explained that his administration is actively exploring the concept of this “merger,” aiming to streamline operations and make the Postal Service more financially responsible.
“We want a postal system that works efficiently and no longer suffers from massive financial losses,” Trump said, emphasizing his desire to improve the agency’s performance while maintaining its core function. “It’ll remain the Postal Service, but with changes that will make it run much better than it has over the years,” he added.
This proposal follows the troubling financial losses faced by the USPS, which reported a staggering $9.5 billion deficit for the fiscal year ending September 30. The previous year’s loss was $6.5 billion, signaling a troubling trend that has worsened over time. According to Trump, the losses are largely due to rising worker compensation costs and pension liabilities.
A merger with the Commerce Department would represent a significant shift in the way the USPS operates, with the goal of curbing its financial drain on the economy. Trump has often referred to the USPS as a “tremendous loser” for the country, lamenting its ongoing financial struggles.
While the president didn’t confirm who would take charge of the agency under such a merger, speculation has surrounded the potential for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to oversee the transformation. Trump’s idea of privatizing the Postal Service was also floated during his first term, but it faced strong opposition in Congress, which holds the constitutional power to regulate the USPS.
This proposed restructuring reflects the president’s continued commitment to reducing government inefficiencies and making public services more accountable to taxpayers. However, the legal challenges involved in overhauling such a deeply rooted institution remain uncertain.