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Reports indicate that the Trump administration is contemplating measures that could increase its control over the independently operated US Postal Service. Such actions might significantly alter how Americans receive essential deliveries, including online orders, prescription medications, checks, and mail-in ballots for elections.

An earlier report from the Washington Post revealed that President Donald Trump is planning to dissolve the USPS Board of Governors and transfer the agency’s oversight directly to the Department of Commerce, led by Secretary Howard Lutnick. This news was echoed by the Wall Street Journal, which cited government officials in its reporting on the proposed changes.

The Postal Service has not issued any comments regarding these developments. However, a spokesperson from the White House dismissed claims that Trump intends to endorse such an order.

“This assertion is false. There is no executive order (EO) currently being discussed, and Secretary Lutnick is not advocating for such an EO,” a White House representative told CNN.

However, the White House’s denial did not address whether there is a possibility of privatizing the Postal Service, an idea that Trump has previously expressed support for.

The Post reported that the board of governors is treating the potential disbandment so seriously that it convened an emergency session on Thursday to secure external legal representation, with plans to pursue legal action against the White House should the president attempt to remove board members or compromise the agency’s independent status.

Trump has previously acted to dismiss other governing members of federal agencies, including officials from the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, resulting in some agencies facing insufficient member counts to effectively safeguard public interests.

Several nations have opted to privatize their postal services. However, a proposal to privatize an agency that has been in existence for 250 years, even before the United States was formed, could fundamentally transform how Americans receive mail and dictate who has access to services. Current regulations mandate that the USPS provides delivery to all addresses, including rural locales that might not be profitable for private enterprises to serve. Furthermore, many online orders fulfilled by companies like UPS rely on the Postal Service for the final delivery phase.

In December, President Trump indicated that privatizing the USPS could be “a viable option.”

“This concept has appealed to many for a long time,” Trump stated during a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. “We are actively exploring it.” Trump had previously abandoned privatization efforts during his initial term in 2018.

A task force focused on postal reforms during Trump’s first term stated that the current model is “not sustainable” and argued that “a private postal service operating independently of congressional mandates could better navigate the decline of First-Class mail while still delivering essential services to American communities.”

While the report suggested that a private service could have greater incentives for innovation and improved service across communities, it raised concerns over whether the current obligation for universal delivery to every U.S. address could be maintained.

“Significant reform is essential regarding how the Postal Service is funded and the levels of service that Americans can expect from their universal service operator,” the report claimed. “A private postal operator delivering mail fewer days per week and to centralized locations (instead of door-to-door delivery) would operate at markedly reduced expenses.”

However, it may be challenging for Trump to privatize the agency without legislative approval, in light of existing federal laws regulating the semi-independent service. These laws include requirements for universal delivery and prohibitions on strikes by USPS personnel. With a workforce of approximately 630,000, of which 91% are union members, the USPS is the largest unionized employer in the country.

Whether such laws would remain effective for a privatized Postal Service remains uncertain.

The American Postal Workers Union, one of the service’s primary labor unions, publicly condemned the notion of abolishing the governing board or moving toward privatization.

“Such action would represent a shocking, unlawful attack on a revered national institution, enshrined in the Constitution and established by Congress to serve every American household and business equitably,” stated the union representing 200 members. “Any assault on the Postal Service would be part of a larger billionaire-led effort targeting not only the postal employees our union represents but also the millions of citizens who depend on the essential public service delivered by our members each day.”

Though the Postal Service has experienced financial difficulties for several years, it recently announced $144 million in net income for the last quarter of 2024, marking its first profit since mid-2022. Despite this, the agency recorded a $9.5 billion net loss for the previous fiscal year, an increase from a $6.5 billion loss the year before.

The decline in first-class mail volume has been ongoing for years as individuals have shifted to alternative communication methods, such as emails and texts, and online billing instead of mailing checks. However, the surge in online shopping has led to a notable rise in package deliveries.

According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center last July, the USPS ranks as one of the most favored federal agencies, enjoying a 72% approval rating, closely following the National Park Service and ahead of NASA. Both Democrats and Republicans surveyed displayed a largely positive view of the agency.

Despite the White House’s reassurances about not aiming to take over the USPS, advocates against privatization remain skeptical.

“Our concerns are still present,” expressed Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, representing 200,000 active employees of the service, during a CNN interview on Friday. “The dismantling of any aspects of the public service we offer, or any movement toward privatization, will ultimately lead to higher costs and longer wait times for customers.”

Renfroe noted that public support and approval for the Postal Service were key reasons previous attempts to privatize it failed during Trump’s initial term.

“The American public, regardless of their political beliefs, cherish the Postal Service,” Renfroe remarked. “What they did not endorse was the dismantling of it.”

Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly indicated which oversight board President Trump is considering disbanding. It is, in fact, the USPS Board of Governors.

This article has been updated with further reporting and context.