US Post office General Louis DeJoy stepped down from his role on Monday, marking the end of his nearly five-year tenure as the head of the United States Postal Service (USPS).
His resignation comes just two weeks after agreeing to work with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on restructuring the USPS budget.
The USPS Board of Governors confirmed DeJoy’s resignation and announced that Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino would serve as interim leader until a permanent replacement is chosen.
In a statement, DeJoy expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to carry out its modernization efforts.
“After nearly five years as America’s 75th Postmaster General, and after informing the Governors in February of my intention to retire, I have today informed the Postal Service Board of Governors that today will be my last day in this role,” DeJoy said.
He added that he believes the Postal Service is well-positioned to continue its transformation and to become more efficient and competitive in serving the American public.
DeJoy was originally appointed in 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term. His leadership was marked by a series of controversial cost-cutting measures, which included slower mail delivery times and increased postage rates—steps he argued were necessary to keep the USPS afloat.
Last week, DeJoy notified the Board of Governors that it was time to begin searching for a suitable successor, as the USPS faces projected losses exceeding $200 billion over the next decade.
The USPS has long been struggling with a broken business model, according to DeJoy. In a letter to Congress earlier this month, he emphasized the urgent need for reform.
“Fixing a broken organization that had experienced close to $100 billion in losses and was projected to lose another $200 billion, without a bankruptcy proceeding, is a daunting task,” DeJoy wrote.
One of his last major decisions as Postmaster General was the early retirement offer extended in January, which aims to cut 10,000 jobs as part of cost-saving measures.
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The USPS has also announced plans to reduce operating costs by $3.5 billion annually. This follows a history of significant job cuts, including the elimination of 30,000 positions in 2021.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, has agreed to assist the USPS in identifying further efficiencies. The partnership aims to address long-standing financial issues at the $78 billion-a-year agency.
While DOGE’s exact role in USPS restructuring remains unclear, the agreement reflects the growing urgency to revamp the Postal Service’s operations.
USPS Board Chair Amber McReynolds praised DeJoy’s leadership and the strategic direction he brought to the agency.
“Louis is a fighter, and he has fought hard for the women and men of the Postal Service,” McReynolds said. “He has worked tirelessly to ensure that the American people have reliable and affordable service for years to come.”
DeJoy’s departure comes at a time when USPS, which has operated as an independent government entity since 1970, is facing renewed debates over privatization.
Last month, former President Trump suggested placing the USPS under the Department of Commerce, a move that would significantly increase executive branch control over the agency.