The United States Postal Service is rolling out sweeping changes to mail delivery, part of a 10-year "Delivering for America" plan that took effect on April 1. The moves aim to check mounting financial losses and improve efficiency but have sparked backlash from unions worried about potential service cuts.
What Happened: President Donald Trump's cost-cutting initiative, led by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has not spared the USPS, which operates independently but remains subject to congressional oversight. The plan cuts roughly 10,000 jobs — about 1.5% of the workforce — and introduces a fleet of electric delivery trucks to replace aging vehicles.
Officials say the revisions will make some mail arrive faster while others might slow. According to USPS estimates, 75% of first-class mail will see no major change. Another 14% may arrive quicker, while 11% could take longer, though still within a one-to-five-day window. More details are expected on July 1, when the next phase of adjustments begins.
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Why It Matters: Union leaders insist the postal service, older than the nation itself, shouldn't be forced to turn a profit. They warn that privatization — floated by Musk — could abandon rural communities, as private carriers often skip less profitable routes. Meanwhile, Trump has suggested merging the USPS with the Commerce Department to further centralize control.
Many Americans rely on daily mail for prescriptions, benefits, and crucial documents. Critics argue that excessive cuts threaten a national lifeline, while supporters say the reforms are long overdue. With job reductions already underway and more tweaks on the horizon, the Postal Service finds itself balancing economic realities against its mission to deliver mail to every corner of the country.
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