Abdelrahman
Louis DeJoy Announces Departure from U.S. Postal Service After Nearly Five Years
Washington, D.C. — Louis DeJoy, the current Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), has announced his intention to resign after a nearly five-year leadership period that has been significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in mail-in ballots, and efforts to reduce operational losses through service modifications and cost-cutting measures. This news was reported by the federal agency on Tuesday.
In a letter sent to the Postal Service Board of Governors on Monday, DeJoy requested that they commence the search for his successor. He highlighted his commitment to transforming the postal establishment, stating, “I have worked tirelessly to lead the 640,000 dedicated employees of the Postal Service in achieving an extraordinary transformation. We have provided essential services to the American people during an unprecedented pandemic, high inflation, and a politically charged environment.”
DeJoy took charge of the USPS in the summer of 2020 during the first term of former President Donald Trump. As a Republican donor with a background in logistics, he was notable for being the first postmaster general in nearly 20 years without a career background in the Postal Service.
Under his leadership, the USPS initiated a comprehensive ten-year plan aimed at modernizing operations and addressing financial challenges. DeJoy previously indicated that postal users might need to acclimatize to "uncomfortable" price increases as the USPS strives for greater financial stability and autonomy.
The initiative outlined in the plan aims to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the mail delivery system by consolidating processing locations. However, this strategy has attracted criticism from various Congressional representatives, who argue that initial consolidations led to service delays and could adversely affect rural mail delivery.
DeJoy has pushed back against these accusations, asserting during a contentious House subcommittee hearing in September that the Postal Service is making essential long-term investments in its facilities and processes—efforts that underscore his vision for a modernized Postal Service capable of quicker mail delivery.
His tenure also coincided with two significant presidential elections that experienced a notable uptick in mail-in voting. In the lead-up to the 2020 election, a federal judge intervened to curtail one of the USPS’s cost-reduction strategies after determining it caused mail delivery delays. DeJoy had limited overtime for postal workers and halted the agency’s traditional practice of permitting late and extra truck deliveries in the summer of 2020. While these measures were intended to lower costs, they resulted in some mail being postponed for the next day.
In his resignation announcement, DeJoy expressed his intention to aid in a smooth transition for his successor, stating he would be “as helpful as possible” during this period.
