Summary

Donald Trump plans to take control of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by firing its governing board and placing it under the Commerce Department, led by Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Experts warn the move likely violates federal law, as USPS was established as an independent entity under the 1970 Postal Reorganization Act.

The Postal Board, in an emergency meeting, has hired legal counsel and gave instructions to sue the White House if the president removed board members or altered the agency’s independent status.

Trump has long criticized the USPS and has floated privatization, sparking backlash over concerns of political interference and mail disruptions.

  • tal@lemmy.today
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    2 days ago

    That makes me wonder about Amtrak.

    Hmm.

    • The Project 2025 stuff seems to mostly align with what’s on the Heritage Foundation website. Looking at said website, they are not happy about Amtrak.

    • Apparently Trump tried eliminating federal subsidies for long-distance Amtrak routes at the start of his first term and failed.

  • ArtVandelay@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    How long until “un-patriotic” mail from progressive institutions is no longer delivered? Democratic mail in ballots? Oopsies, right in the trash.

  • pjwestin@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Reminder that the Post Office is only losing money because of a 2006 law that forces them to fund their retirement plan for 75 years in advance, which is an insane burden that no nother agency or private corporation undertakes. Also, even if it does lose money, it doesn’t matter because the USPS isn’t a business. It’s a government service provided for the public good.

    • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Also, even if it does lose money, it doesn’t matter because the USPS isn’t a business. It’s a government service provided for the public good.

      All good points, but this is the most important one. We need to stop accepting the bullshit framing of the extremist radical right wing that sees everything as a business.

      • pjwestin@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        That’s true, and I did forget about that, but that also doesn’t undo the 16 years of cutbacks they had to make to try to meet that target. It’s also unclear to what happens to the money ($56 out of $72 billion, I think) they had already saved in retirement, but if I member right, they got about $50 billion in debt relief, so I guess that about balances out.

  • adm@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    Fuck, I just got rid if my Amazon and now they’re going to take over USPS huh? Fuck

  • Omgboom@lemmy.zip
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    2 days ago

    The USPS has hundreds of billions worth of prime real estate that trump wants to steal

  • TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    You guys think all the MAGAots who work for the USPS and voted for this asshole understand what’s about to happen?

    Dumbfuckers voted to end their jobs and their pension.

    • Lightor@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      My dad is a huge MAGA guy and a postmaster. Also set to retire in 3 years. He thinks this is all fake news and Trump is “cleaning up” things. Can’t wait till he gets cleaned up and we get to have that convo.

    • Tramort@programming.dev
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      2 days ago

      Their pensions! Omg you are right.

      Serves anybody right who voted for this jackass, but I’m sorry for all of the rest of us.

  • aarRJaay@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    I’m guessing he didn’t get a Valentine’s Day Card from Musk, he blamed it being ‘lost in the post’ (even through he didn’t send one because the love is all one-sided in that relationship) and The Grand High Orange One is destroying the post office out of spite.

  • vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    Honestly given how USPS is largely independent and even has their own form of law enforcement I suspect they may actually have thr resources required to outright oppose Trump. Also if Musk tries to just walk in and break shit they have the opportunity to do the funniest thing possible.

    • hperrin@lemmy.ca
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      1 day ago

      Imagine the USPIS arresting Musk and Trump. Maybe the postal cops can do what should have been done years ago.

  • kandoh@reddthat.com
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    2 days ago

    Fire 200,000 federal workers.

    Destroy tge USPS, obliterating snall businesses.

    They really are doing everything they can to get labor costs down. This tight labor market these last few years must have been driving the upper class insane.