- The U.S. Postal Service is undergoing changes this spring, with more on the way in summer 2025.
- This comes as the Trump administration seeks a potential privatization of the federal agency.
Michigan residents, get ready to see some changes to your mail as the federal government reforms the U.S. Postal Service.
The changes to the U.S. Postal Service, intended to cut costs and improve efficiency, are beginning this spring, with more on the way this summer, per the federal agency. As the Trump Administration considers a potential privatization of the postal service, some Michiganders protested and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently stepped down from his role.
Here’s what to know.
What is the U.S. Postal Service?
The Postal Service was remodeled under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, moving from a cabinet department to an independent agency under the executive branch with a Board of Governors. The president can nominate members to the board but cannot direct operations.
Where are U.S. Postal Service offices in Michigan?
To find your nearest U.S. Postal Service office in Michigan, go to the U.S. Postal Service website.
What challenges does the USPS face?
The agency has seen a sharp decline in first-class mail since electronic communication became more popular. It’s dropped 80% since 1997, and volumes are the lowest since 1968, according to Reuters.
It lost $9.5 billion in 2024. USPS is expected to lose another $6.9 billion in 2025, according to reporting from Government Executive.
When do the changes begin at the USPS?
The first round of changes at the U.S. Postal Service began Tuesday.
How did the USPS changes come about?
On March 13, outgoing DeJoy negotiated with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to cut 10,000 out of 640,000 postal service jobs, following President Donald Trump in February ruminating over bringing the postal service under the Department of Commerce.
In a letter to Congress, DeJoy said Elon Musk’s agency would help usher a “historic level of transformational change,” reducing costs by addressing issues like retirement plans, worker comp costs, infrastructure of post offices and postage problems.
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The reduction plan was announced in January and is different than the federal employee buyout offer announced for most civilian federal employees. According to a news release from the American Postal Workers Union, workers who opt to retire early can get a one-time $15,000 incentive paid in two parts.
According to information released by USPS, the shifts will help save the organization $36 billion over a decade.
When will the next USPS changes begin?
The next changes are set to take effect on July 1. More information will be released closer to that date.
What are President Trump’s goals?
President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have both suggested privatizing the agency. In February, Trump said he was considering merging the U.S. Postal Service, an independent agency, with the Commerce Department.
“It’ll be a form of a merger, but it’ll remain the Postal Service,” Trump said. “And I think it’ll operate a lot better than it has been over the years. It’s been just a tremendous loser for this country.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has suggested that postal workers could carry out the U.S. Census and handle tasks performed by Social Security employees as cost-cutting measures.
A potential privatization of the U.S. Postal Service would require congressional approval. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 made the postal service an independent agency under the executive branch. USPS is directed by a Board of Governors appointed by the president and approved by Congress.
The president can make nominations but doesn’t have direct oversight.
What happened to the postmaster general?
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stepped down March 24 amidst growing protests from postal workers and supporters about proposed changes and service reductions.
Appointed during the first Trump presidency, DeJoy had grown frustrated that his efforts to transform the service were being stalled by Congress. He had been planning to retire at the end of his five-year term but instead stepped down shortly after inking a deal with DOGE.
Under DeJoy, the post made $144 million in profit in the first quarter of 2025, compared to a loss of $2.1 billion the first quarter in 2024.
How will the USPS changes affect mail in Michigan?
Newsweek said the merger, if it goes through, could close offices, slow delivery, increase costs and lead to layoffs. It also could hit rural areas hardest.
Some areas could get “2-3-day turnaround service within regions and specific local areas,” according to the postal service.
Some post offices could have delivery extended by a day. The information provided didn’t say which ones could expect delayed mail delivery caused by changes to regional transportation schedules.
“Under the new approach, while most mail will retain the same service standard, some mail will have a faster standard, and some will have a slightly slower standard. For First-Class Mail, the current service standard day range of 1-5 days is staying the same, while the day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services are being shortened. All Mail will benefit from more reliable service,” a USPS news release reads.
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The postal service said, “all packages will benefit from more reliable service.” The 2-5 day range for USPS Ground Advantage will stay the same. However, some shipping products will have a slower delivery range going forward.
USPS already has a map online that will let customers see how long it will take to deliver mail from one zip code to another. Customers also can look up service standards at usps.com.
Service standards will be “refined” for:
- First-class mail.
- Periodicals.
- Marketing mail.
- Package services (bound printed matter, media mail, and library mail).
- USPS Ground Advantage.
- Priority mail.
- Priority mail express.
How are Michiganders reacting to USPS changes?
Postal workers rallied outside the post office on West Fort Street in Detroit on March 20, raising concerns about potential privatization of the U.S. Postal Service by the Trump administration.
“This is the public’s postal service and we touch every address across the country,” said Tamika Johnson-Smith, secretary-treasurer of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, Detroit District Area Local. She called working for the postal service “an honorable job.”
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Detroit is one of 150 cities across the country where events were planned for March 20 as part of a national day of action, according to a news release.
According to Pew Research Centers, the USPS is the second-most popular federal agency: 72% of Americans like it. The National Park Service outranked it with a 76% favorability rating. NASA came in third at 67%.
USA TODAY, The Mississippi Clarion Ledger and The Detroit Free Press contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: [email protected].
