Protesters called for the ouster of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy at a rally Dec. 8 at the East Portland Post Office. Similar rallies were held throughout the country.
DeJoy’s 10-year plan is slowing the mail, raising prices, cutting and closing postal facilities, outsourcing postal work, and paving the way for privatization of the U.S. Postal Service. December 8 was a significant date because it marked the end of terms for two Trump-appointees to the Postal Board of Governors—Chair Ron Bloom and John Barger. DeJoy also is a Trump appointee.
President Joe Biden has nominated Derek Kan, a Republican, and Dan Tangherlini, a Democrat, to the nine-member Board. Only the Postal Board of Governors can fire DeJoy. Postal unions and their allies see this as a turning point, and have escalated the pressure to replace DeJoy and save the USPS. The two nominees must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. At press time, no hearings had been scheduled.
