Key facts
- U.S. Postal Service chief David Steiner wants to resign, according to four sources.
- Steiner is reportedly frustrated by a lack of help from the White House and Congress.
- The agency has faced scrutiny over financial losses and President Trump's efforts to tighten rules on mail-in voting.
- The Supreme Court blocked key elements of a plan for the Postal Service to serve as a mail-in voting ballot clearinghouse.
- Steiner earns an annual salary of $346,780.
- The Postal Service disputed the information from the sources, calling it 'absolutely zero validity'.
The head of the U.S. Postal Service, David Steiner, has expressed to associates his desire to resign due to deep discouragement with his role, according to four people familiar with his thinking. Steiner, who took office in July 2025, has voiced frustration over insufficient support from the White House and Congress in tackling the agency's persistent financial difficulties.
Simultaneously, the Postal Service has become a focal point in the debate surrounding government involvement in voting processes. President Donald Trump directed the agency in March to function as a clearinghouse for mail-in ballots, a plan that faced a significant setback when the Supreme Court on Monday blocked its implementation.
These pressures culminated in a challenging June Senate hearing where Steiner was questioned by lawmakers from both parties regarding poor delivery performance, Trump's proposed ballot restrictions, and his own compensation. Following the hearing, Steiner reportedly described the job as thankless and warned of the agency's precarious financial state without federal assistance, indicating his wish to leave.
Steiner, a former FedEx board member and ex-CEO of Waste Management, had informed board members during his hiring process that he intended to serve for approximately two years. He has consistently warned lawmakers that without new funding, the Postal Service would need to reduce delivery days and close unprofitable post offices, particularly in rural areas. Mail and package companies have also expressed dissatisfaction with proposed rate increases aimed at mitigating losses.
Trump has shown more engagement with the Postal Service than his predecessors, pushing for higher parcel rates, influencing the selection of the postmaster general, and attempting to restrict mail-in voting. This involvement has frequently subjected the agency and its leaders to intense congressional scrutiny.
During the June hearing, Steiner debated agency financial losses with Committee Chair Rand Paul and was accused by Senator Elissa Slotkin of being a pawn in Trump's efforts to limit voting access. Steiner defended Trump's proposal, stating that states would likely want assurance that the ballots sent out are the ones actually being distributed.
Senator Josh Hawley suggested Steiner should forgo his bonus due to service issues. Steiner's annual salary is $346,780, with a relocation bonus equivalent to 50% of his salary in 2025. The sources indicated it was unclear how much congressional inquiries related to Trump's ballot rules contributed to Steiner's frustration, noting he had already considered stepping down in late 2025 due to the agency's financial circumstances. In an effort to boost morale and secure White House backing for his restructuring plans, Trump donors in the mailing industry organized a golf outing for Steiner with the President in December 2025.