Can the president get rid of the postmaster general?
Asked by: Sid Donnelly | Last update: June 5, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (71 votes)
No, the President cannot directly fire the Postmaster General; that power rests solely with the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, a bipartisan group appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, who hire and can remove the Postmaster General by a majority vote, though the President can influence the Board by appointing new governors to fill vacancies.
Can the president fire the postmaster general?
No, the President cannot directly fire the U.S. Postmaster General; that power rests solely with the Postal Service Board of Governors. The President appoints the Board members (who are then confirmed by the Senate), but the Board itself selects and can remove the Postmaster General, making the position insulated from direct political whims, according to the Postal Reorganization Act.
Can the PMG be removed from office?
The governors appoint, or may remove, the postmaster general by a majority vote of the governors in office. The deputy postmaster general is appointed, or may be removed, by a majority vote of the postmaster general and the governors in office.
How does the postmaster general get fired?
The PMG does not serve at the president's pleasure and can only be dismissed by the Board of Governors. The appointment of the postmaster general does not require Senate confirmation. The governors and the postmaster general elect the deputy postmaster general.
Who is above the postmaster general?
The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is the governing body of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The board oversees the activities of the Postal Service, while the postmaster general actively manages its day-to-day operations.
White House Asked Point Blank If Biden Will Remove Postmaster General
How can the postmaster general be replaced?
The Board of Governors itself is made up of as many as nine governors, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. No more than five governors at any one time may be from the same political party. The governors select and have the authority to remove the Postmaster General.
Did Trump appoint DeJoy as postmaster general?
Selection and conflict of interest controversy. On May 6, 2020, the bipartisan USPS Board of Governors, all selected by Trump and confirmed by the Senate, announced DeJoy's appointment as postmaster general and CEO, despite concerns about conflicts of interest.
What is a postmaster general salary?
The Postmaster General's (PMG) salary is set by the USPS Board of Governors, with recent figures showing Louis DeJoy earning a base of around $305,000 plus bonuses, reaching total compensation over $500,000, though average postmaster salaries vary widely by location and experience, often around $88,000-$96,000 annually for local roles, not the national head.
Does the president control the post office?
The United States Postal Service (USPS; also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or simply the Postal Service) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the United States, its insular areas and associated states.
What powers does the PMG have?
The postmaster general is empowered to authorize any employee or agent of the Service to exercise any function vested in the Postal Service, in the postmaster general, or in any other Postal Service employee.
Who can declare a president incompetent?
The Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet (or another body Congress designates) can declare a President incompetent under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, immediately making the VP acting President, but Congress can overrule this with a two-thirds vote of both Houses if the President contests it. This process, designed for involuntary removal of power, has never been fully invoked, though Section 3 (voluntary transfer) has been used for temporary incapacitation, like during surgery.
Did Louis DeJoy donate to Trump?
Yes, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is a significant Republican donor who gave millions to Donald Trump's campaigns and related entities, including over $1.2 million to Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee, and funds to the RNC and Trump's inaugural committee. He also faced allegations and investigations, including by the DOJ, for potentially using straw donors and reimbursing employees for political contributions at his former company, which are violations of campaign finance laws.
What are 5 things the president can't do?
The U.S. President cannot make laws, declare war, decide how federal money is spent, interpret laws, or overturn Supreme Court decisions; these powers are checked by Congress and the Judiciary, highlighting the system of checks and balances in American government.
How much does Louis DeJoy make?
Louis DeJoy's salary as U.S. Postmaster General has varied, with figures around $305,000-$341,000 base in recent years (like 2021-2024), but his total compensation, including bonuses and perks set by the USPS Board of Governors, has been much higher, reaching over $480,000 in 2021 and reportedly around $561,000 in 2024, making him one of the highest-paid USPS leaders ever.
Can the president remove the postmaster?
Currently, only the Postal Service Board of Governors has the power to appoint or fire the postmaster general, who may serve an unlimited term. The Board of Governors is composed of nine presidential appointees that must be confirmed by the Senate.
Can Congress get rid of the post office?
Specifically, Section 208 of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 states: “Congress reserves the power to alter, amend, or repeal any or all of the sections of this title.” The President simply does not have the legal authority to either fire the Board of Governors or merge the Postal Service into any other agency or ...
Who oversees the postmaster general?
Congress set up USPS, previously a cabinet-level agency, to be independent of the White House through the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970. The mail service has since been run by a politically appointed board of governors, which has the authority under federal law to appoint and remove the postmaster general.
Can a mailman make 100k a year?
Yes, mail carriers can make over $100k, but it usually requires significant overtime, especially early in their careers, with higher-step carriers reaching it more easily through regular hours plus overtime, due to high demand for extra hours, particularly in understaffed areas. While base pay for top steps can approach $90k with 40-hour weeks, consistent overtime (e.g., 10+ hours/day, 6 days/week) pushes earnings past $100k, though this varies by route, location, and staffing levels.
How powerful is the postmaster general?
The position was once part of the presidential cabinet, although the postal service is now considered to be an independent agency. The postmaster general runs the agency similar to how another CEO might run a private company, handling the day-to-day operations and personnel issues.
What's the highest paid job at the post office?
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees with the job title Operations Manager make the most with an average annual salary of $89,289, while employees with the title Mail Handler make the least with an average annual salary of $50,609.
Does Trump still own the Taj Mahal Casino?
No, Donald Trump does not own the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City; billionaire Carl Icahn acquired it in bankruptcy, then sold the closed property to Hard Rock International in 2017, and it has since been rebranded as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Trump had lost his ownership stake years prior when his company went through bankruptcy, though he retained a licensing agreement for his name until it was wiped out by Icahn.
What changes are coming to the USPS in 2025?
In 2025, the USPS implemented significant changes including postage rate hikes (Forever stamps to 78¢ by July), adjusted mail delivery standards (some faster, some slightly slower, but still within 1-5 days for First-Class), and new postmark date systems, all part of a 10-year plan for financial sustainability, impacting costs and delivery expectations for customers.
Who owns the Washington Hotel in DC?
In 2015, Investment Corporation of Dubai purchased the hotel. In 2021 the hotel was sold to Schulte Hospitality Group & Pimco for $147 million. They ended its franchise with W Hotels and returned the hotel to its historic name, Hotel Washington.