Trump wants to shake up the US Postal Service. Here’s what it’ll mean for your deliveries. | CNN Business

Trump wants to shake up the US Postal Service. Here’s what it’ll mean for your deliveries.

By Chris Isidore, CNN, 6 minute read, Updated 5:14 PM EST, Fri February 21, 2025
446 comments

New York CNN — President Donald Trump said he’s looking to change the US Postal service, including giving the Secretary of Commerce authority over what has been an independent organization for more than 50 years. It’s a move that could be a first step towards privatization that could upend how Americans get critical deliveries including online purchases, prescription drugs, checks and vote-by-mail ballots.

The Washington Post first reported late Thursday, citing numerous anonymous sources, that President Donald Trump planned to disband the US Postal Service’s Board of Governors and place the agency under direct control of the Commerce Department and Secretary Howard Lutnick. The Wall Street Journal also Friday reported on the plan to dissolve the commission, citing government officials.

Other countries have privatized their postal services in the past. But a plan to privatize the 250-year old service that predates the formation of the United States could dramatically change the way Americans receive deliveries, and even who would be able to get service.

Current law requires the USPS to deliver to all addresses, even rural ones that are too costly for a private business to serve profitably. Even many online purchases handled by private companies such as United Parcel Service depend upon the the Postal Service to handle the “last mile” of delivery to homes.

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