1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

The United States Postal Service is a critical institution that has served the nation for over 200 years. The recent agreement with Elon Musk's DOGE government reform team raises concerns about undue external influence and potential privatization efforts that could undermine this essential public service. As an independent agency enshrined in the Constitution, USPS must maintain its autonomy and commitment to universal service for all Americans. While reforms may be needed to address financial challenges, any changes should prioritize the interests of the public and postal workers over corporate profits. The Postal Service has already implemented major restructuring, cutting 30,000 jobs and forecasting savings of $36 billion over 10 years through new service standards. However, allowing DOGE to "infiltrate" and dismantle USPS risks compromising affordable nationwide mail delivery. DOGE's tactics of contract cancellations, workforce reductions, and agency mergers are ill-suited for an organization with a fundamentally different mandate than profit-driven corporations. The Postal Regulatory Commission, though imperfect, serves an important role in pricing models and processes. Privatization, as suggested by Musk, would run counter to USPS's public service mission. We urge safeguarding the Post Office's independence and preventing undue corporate influence that could irreparably damage this vital American institution. Any reforms must uphold universal service obligations and prioritize people over private profits.