President Donald Trump is poised to appoint David Steiner, a former CEO of Waste Management and a current board member at FedEx, as the next postmaster general of the United States Postal Service (USPS). This decision marks a significant consolidation of control over the historically independent agency, as Steiner will take over for Louis DeJoy, who was ousted earlier this year following disputes regarding the agency’s operations and finances.
Steiner emerged as a frontrunner recommended by FedEx, highlighting the close ties between the shipping giant and the Postal Service. It’s noteworthy that FedEx has previously collaborated with the USPS for parcel deliveries. However, this relationship shifted in 2020, when FedEx chose to keep most of its delivery operations in-house.
Critics, including Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, have raised concerns that Steiner’s appointment signifies a conflict of interest, suggesting an intent to privatize some postal operations by outsourcing to private carriers. Renfroe emphasized that this move could undermine the values of the USPS, an institution cherished by the American public.
Steiner’s selection as postmaster general is part of a broader agenda by Trump, who has frequently criticized the USPS and sought to restructure its leadership. Trump has hinted at ambitions to privatize the agency, a significant departure from its established model since the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, which aimed to distance the service from direct political influence.
The ongoing search for a new postmaster general has been surrounded by political maneuvering, with Trump’s administration actively working to shape the oversight board that governs the USPS. This includes plans to nominate several governors, which could grant the administration considerable influence over postal services, delivery standards, and pricing.
As the Postal Service navigates these changes, stakeholders await to see how Steiner’s leadership will impact its operations and relationship with private competitors. Regardless of the anticipated challenges, there is hope that a new approach could also bring innovative solutions to the agency, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of mail services for millions of Americans.