Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has resigned after nearly five years in his position, leaving the agency with an uncertain future.
The big picture: President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have floated the idea of privatizing mail service, and DeJoy’s departure adds to the turmoil within the US Postal Service.
- The future of the USPS has been a topic of concern, with discussions of bringing the service under the control of the Commerce Department in an attempt to curb its financial losses.
Driving the news: During his tenure, DeJoy faced challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, surges in mail-in election ballots, and efforts to tackle losses through cost and service cuts.
What we’re watching: Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will serve as the interim postmaster general until a permanent replacement is named by the Postal Service Board of Governors.
- The Postal Service Board of Governors has enlisted a global search firm to help find the next leader of the agency, signifying the significance of this leadership transition.
Flashback: Earlier, DeJoy had announced plans to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the USPS budget, sparking concerns and protests among postal workers, who fear that these cuts will harm the essential services provided by the USPS.
