Louis DeJoy’s tenure as the Postmaster General has been anything but impressive. After nearly five years of service, he has announced his intention to step down—a decision that comes after years of mounting criticism over cost-cutting measures, delayed mail, and a failure to adequately address systemic issues within the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). While DeJoy touted his leadership during the pandemic and his so-called “extraordinary transformation” of the USPS, the reality for many Americans—especially those in the Twin Cities—has been frustration, inefficiency, and an overall decline in service quality.
DeJoy, a Republican donor and logistics business owner before assuming office, spearheaded a controversial 10-year plan that emphasized cost reductions over customer service. While his plan aimed to modernize operations, it often resulted in significant service disruptions. Postal customers were subjected to increased postage rates, slower delivery times, and a workforce stretched thin. His tenure was marked by operational consolidations that arguably made the mail delivery system less efficient, particularly in rural and suburban areas.
Here in the Twin Cities, the consequences of this mismanagement are especially apparent. Local post offices have become synonymous with poor service, unhelpful employees, and, disturbingly, allegations of antisemitism. While DeJoy may claim his reforms were necessary, the experiences of many residents suggest they have only led to more dysfunction and bureaucratic stonewalling.
Consider these recent postal disasters in the Twin Cities:
- Being Denied a PO Box on False GroundsOne resident was denied a PO Box at a local post office on the grounds that they were not a resident of the area. This is patently false; USPS regulations do not require a person to live in a specific area to obtain a PO Box. The denial of service reflects either incompetence or deliberate misinformation by postal employees. If even basic services are misunderstood by those working in the post office, how can customers trust that their mail is being handled properly?
- Packages Marked as ‘Delivered’ Within Minutes of Drop-offIn another incident, multiple packages were marked as ‘delivered’ within minutes of being dropped off at a local post office. This practice, whether due to negligence or an attempt to manipulate delivery metrics, is unacceptable. Customers depend on accurate tracking information, especially for important deliveries. If mail is marked as ‘delivered’ before it has even left the facility, what does that say about the integrity of the system?
- Mysterious Cessation of Mail Delivery and Unfulfilled PromisesPerhaps the most infuriating example is the abrupt and unexplained cessation of mail delivery to an entire neighborhood. Residents visited their local post office multiple times in search of answers, only to be told that a manager would call them back—a call that never came. The failure to communicate, coupled with the sudden stoppage of service, demonstrates a complete lack of accountability and professionalism. How can a government institution responsible for handling sensitive mail and critical documents operate with such disregard for its customers?
These incidents are not isolated. They point to a broader issue of deteriorating service standards within the USPS, exacerbated by DeJoy’s policies and a local workforce that appears uninterested in providing basic customer support. The combination of incompetence, poor management, and instances of outright discrimination makes the situation untenable.
As DeJoy exits, the USPS Board of Governors must prioritize leadership that values both efficiency and customer service. The Postal Service is an essential institution that millions of Americans rely on daily. We deserve a system that works for us—not against us. The problems plaguing Twin Cities post offices must be addressed with urgency, and postal employees must be held to a higher standard of competence and accountability. It’s time to clean up this mess and restore the integrity of our mail system.
