A Turning Point for the Postal Service
The United States Postal Service teeters on the edge of financial ruin, with a staggering $160 billion deficit projected over the next decade. Into this crisis steps David Steiner, a FedEx board member and former Waste Management CEO, named the 76th Postmaster General in May 2025. His appointment has sparked a firestorm of debate. Can a corporate veteran save the USPS, or will he steer it toward privatization? From a conservative vantage point, Steiner’s private-sector prowess is precisely what the agency needs to navigate a competitive landscape and secure its future.
Steiner’s selection follows FedEx’s $1 million contribution to President Trump’s 2025 inaugural fund, a move that fueled accusations of impropriety from postal unions and Democratic lawmakers. They argue his FedEx ties, given its rivalry with the USPS in parcel delivery, pose a conflict of interest. Yet, these claims appear more like political theater than grounded criticism. Steiner has vowed to resign from FedEx’s board and divest any conflicting interests before assuming office in July 2025. Why the outrage? It stems from a broader clash over whether business leaders belong in public roles.
The USPS has long suffered from bureaucratic gridlock and misguided policies. The 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, for example, imposed a retiree health benefits prefunding mandate that no private firm would endure. Steiner, who orchestrated a successful turnaround at Waste Management, brings a results-driven mindset. His appointment aligns with the USPS’s Delivering for America plan, which prioritizes operational streamlining and parcel partnerships. Could his expertise finally pull the agency back from the brink?
Postal unions, led by the National Association of Letter Carriers, and some Democratic lawmakers warn that Steiner’s corporate background threatens the USPS’s universal service mission. They frame FedEx’s donation as evidence of undue influence, implying his appointment rewards corporate allegiance. This argument overlooks the broader context. Corporate donations, legitimized by the 2010 Citizens United ruling, are commonplace in American politics. FedEx’s $1 million, within a $239 million inaugural fund, hardly suggests a conspiracy. The real issue is whether Steiner can deliver efficiency while upholding the USPS’s core duties.
Conservatives see Steiner as a beacon of hope. Public agencies like the USPS, competing against nimble private carriers like FedEx and Amazon, demand leaders who grasp market dynamics. House Republicans, vocal proponents of USPS reform, applaud executives like Steiner and his predecessor, Louis DeJoy, for emphasizing fiscal discipline. The USPS isn’t a welfare program; it’s a service that must adapt to survive. Steiner’s know-how could unlock new revenue and modernize outdated systems.
Dismissing the Conflict-of-Interest Noise
The heart of the opposition to Steiner lies in cries of conflict of interest. Postal unions and Democratic lawmakers contend that his FedEx role disqualifies him, alleging he’ll prioritize corporate gains over public service. This critique unravels under examination. Federal ethics laws, such as 18 U.S.C. §208 and 5 C.F.R. §2635, require appointees to divest conflicting assets or recuse themselves from related decisions. Steiner’s commitment to leave FedEx and comply with these rules undercuts the criticism. What else could critics reasonably demand?
The movement of executives between business and government is hardly novel. The 1978 Ethics in Government Act established safeguards like financial disclosures and cooling-off periods to ensure integrity. From 2000 to 2014, the share of federal officeholders with corporate backgrounds grew from 14% to 21%, bringing critical expertise. Denying the USPS such talent, when it faces dire straits, would be shortsighted. Steiner’s transition mirrors countless others, from Treasury officials with banking ties to defense leaders joining contractors.
Fears of privatization also lack merit. The USPS’s universal service obligation, codified in law, remains untouchable by a single appointee. Conservative voices, including The Heritage Foundation, argue that market-oriented reforms can uphold universal access while boosting efficiency. Steiner’s backers, like House Republicans, stress his focus on operational upgrades, not dismantling the agency. The Delivering for America plan, which he’ll likely advance, emphasizes fleet modernization and rate hikes, not privatization. Critics seem more intent on preserving union clout than protecting public welfare.
The double standard is glaring. Many who now attack Steiner stayed quiet when Louis DeJoy faced parallel accusations, despite his role in securing the 2022 Postal Service Reform Act, which eased the prefunding burden. Steiner, with his own restructuring credentials, is well-placed to build on this success. Yet, unions and Democrats opt for fearmongering over constructive dialogue about an agency in crisis.
Charting a Path to Postal Prosperity
The USPS’s survival depends on its ability to adapt. With e-commerce surging and traditional mail dwindling, the agency must rival private carriers while honoring its universal service mandate. Steiner’s appointment offers a chance to bridge this divide. His Waste Management tenure, navigating intricate logistics and regulations, prepares him to tackle the USPS’s $160 billion shortfall. The Delivering for America plan, emphasizing parcel partnerships and tech investments, dovetails with his strengths.
Conservative leaders have long endorsed public-private partnerships to drive efficiency. The USPS’s recent steps, like mail network consolidation and new revenue pursuits, embody this approach. Steiner can hasten these efforts, ensuring the agency thrives without taxpayer handouts. His opponents, however, cling to a dated view of the USPS as a purely public entity. Surveys show 60% of voters oppose privatization but back modernization. Steiner’s leadership can deliver both, balancing innovation with accessibility.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Rural towns, small businesses, and everyday Americans rely on the USPS for affordable, dependable service. Steiner’s market-savvy approach, rooted in conservative values of fiscal prudence and innovation, offers a lifeline. By optimizing operations and embracing competition, he can fortify the agency’s role as a pillar of American life.
Seizing the Moment
David Steiner’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for the USPS. His private-sector credentials, far from a drawback, are a vital asset for an agency grappling with existential fiscal woes. Critics’ accusations of conflict of interest and corporate overreach lack evidence, leaning on emotion rather than fact. Federal ethics rules and Steiner’s pledges ensure he’ll serve the public, not private agendas.
The conservative blueprint for the USPS is unambiguous: a streamlined, competitive agency that serves all Americans without burdening taxpayers. Steiner, with his proven leadership and market insight, is uniquely equipped to realize this goal. His tenure will test whether business acumen can overcome entrenched inefficiencies, delivering a postal service fit for the modern era.
As Steiner gears up to lead in July 2025, Americans must support his push to revitalize the USPS. The agency’s future rests on leaders who value results over dogma. Will we embrace this chance to strengthen a vital institution, or let fear and division stall progress? The decision lies with us, and the time to act is now.