Postal workers rally to save USPS amid Trump’s proposed cuts
POLITICS
U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., center, joins protesters Sunday during a “Fight Like Hell” rally at the corner of Sunset Road and Eastern Avenue. The rally was part of a national series staged to protest the Trump administration’s plans to privatize or restructure the U.S.
Postal Service.
STEVE MARCUS
Postal Service.
STEVE MARCUS
Postal worker Mark Austin II stood with his family among protesters wearing red shirts emblazoned with the phrase “FIGHT LIKE HELL,” demonstrating support for the United States Postal Service, which he credits with providing for his family’s livelihood.
“I wouldn’t want to work for any other company this long,” said Austin, who has been with USPS for 19 years. “And I do take pride in what I do every day. It gives me a sense of purpose.”
Austin and other postal services employees nationwide took to the streets over the weekend to demonstrate against proposed cuts from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump calls the postal service “a tremendous loser for this country” and suggested as possible solutions either merging it with the Department of Commerce or privatizing it. His administration can “implement positive changes while maintaining similar operations,” he said.
“This could involve either merging the service or reassigning our skilled personnel from other departments,” Trump said.
Republicans have sounded alarms regarding the postal service, questioning its effectiveness and subjecting the agency to conspiracies about mail-ballots during the 2020 presidential election. Multiple lawsuits suggesting former President Joe Biden’s win against Trump were thrown out; no widespread fraud was verified.
Trump’s interest in changing USPS operations comes as the president’s administration has fired — and been court-ordered to rehire — thousands of federal employees, causing uncertainty for postal workers.
Loretta Brodeur, executive vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 2502, said privatizing the postal service would have stark effects for Nevadans in rural counties. A 2022 report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General found that people in rural areas accounted for 16% of the country’s population, but 57% of post offices were in those regions.
“Whether you’re a senior waiting for medication, a veteran, anyone waiting for their Social Security checks — it’s such an important institution in our country,” said U.S. Rep Susie Lee, who attended a demonstration Sunday as part of the “US Mail Not for Sale” campaign.
“And make no mistake, this isn’t about anything more than turning around and giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.”
Democrats are arguing that Trump’s attempts to slash federal workforce and funding for previously Congress-approved programs are attempts to bolster already-wealthy individuals, focusing much of their attention on billionaire Elon Musk.
Musk, who has been tasked with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, has been criticized for having too much power for someone who isn’t elected.
“Under this president, nothing is sacred,” said U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who also attended the demonstration. “He ascended Musk and his little DOGE-ites to cut all government services, and the post office is part of that.”
Titus said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was “right in line” with Trump and Musk. DeJoy, who has been serving in his role since June 2020, wrote a letter to congressional leaders this month detailing his agreement with DOGE.
Titus, alongside Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., is a cosponsor of House Resolution 70, which would express the lower chamber’s commitment to ensuring USPS remains free of privatization and remains an independent establishment of the federal government.
The resolution introduced in late January has nearly 170 sponsors, including eight Republicans, but hasn’t made it out of committee.
For Anita Carrasco, it’s hard to think about her time with USPS without getting emotional.
“I worked for the post office for 30 years, and I’ve been retired for 10,” Carrasco said, “and we do have the best service in the world.”
Brodeur said the daily interactions between USPS workers and delivery recipients would be among the greatest losses if the service faced privatization or major changes. Through her role as the “eyes and ears of the neighborhood,” she said she attended funerals as well as parties in people’s homes, and created family-like bonds.
“For the elderly, we are some of the only people they see — they rely on us. My route, before I retired, was all retirees, and most of them did not drive.” Brodeur said. “That’s an important thing that would be missing if it was privatized, because you’re not going to have that personal service.
We’re a service, we’re not a business.” haajrah.gilani@gmgvegas. com / 702-990-8923 / @haajrahgilani
“I wouldn’t want to work for any other company this long,” said Austin, who has been with USPS for 19 years. “And I do take pride in what I do every day. It gives me a sense of purpose.”
Austin and other postal services employees nationwide took to the streets over the weekend to demonstrate against proposed cuts from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump calls the postal service “a tremendous loser for this country” and suggested as possible solutions either merging it with the Department of Commerce or privatizing it. His administration can “implement positive changes while maintaining similar operations,” he said.
“This could involve either merging the service or reassigning our skilled personnel from other departments,” Trump said.
Republicans have sounded alarms regarding the postal service, questioning its effectiveness and subjecting the agency to conspiracies about mail-ballots during the 2020 presidential election. Multiple lawsuits suggesting former President Joe Biden’s win against Trump were thrown out; no widespread fraud was verified.
Trump’s interest in changing USPS operations comes as the president’s administration has fired — and been court-ordered to rehire — thousands of federal employees, causing uncertainty for postal workers.
Loretta Brodeur, executive vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 2502, said privatizing the postal service would have stark effects for Nevadans in rural counties. A 2022 report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General found that people in rural areas accounted for 16% of the country’s population, but 57% of post offices were in those regions.
“Whether you’re a senior waiting for medication, a veteran, anyone waiting for their Social Security checks — it’s such an important institution in our country,” said U.S. Rep Susie Lee, who attended a demonstration Sunday as part of the “US Mail Not for Sale” campaign.
“And make no mistake, this isn’t about anything more than turning around and giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.”
Democrats are arguing that Trump’s attempts to slash federal workforce and funding for previously Congress-approved programs are attempts to bolster already-wealthy individuals, focusing much of their attention on billionaire Elon Musk.
Musk, who has been tasked with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, has been criticized for having too much power for someone who isn’t elected.
“Under this president, nothing is sacred,” said U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who also attended the demonstration. “He ascended Musk and his little DOGE-ites to cut all government services, and the post office is part of that.”
Titus said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was “right in line” with Trump and Musk. DeJoy, who has been serving in his role since June 2020, wrote a letter to congressional leaders this month detailing his agreement with DOGE.
Titus, alongside Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., is a cosponsor of House Resolution 70, which would express the lower chamber’s commitment to ensuring USPS remains free of privatization and remains an independent establishment of the federal government.
The resolution introduced in late January has nearly 170 sponsors, including eight Republicans, but hasn’t made it out of committee.
For Anita Carrasco, it’s hard to think about her time with USPS without getting emotional.
“I worked for the post office for 30 years, and I’ve been retired for 10,” Carrasco said, “and we do have the best service in the world.”
Brodeur said the daily interactions between USPS workers and delivery recipients would be among the greatest losses if the service faced privatization or major changes. Through her role as the “eyes and ears of the neighborhood,” she said she attended funerals as well as parties in people’s homes, and created family-like bonds.
“For the elderly, we are some of the only people they see — they rely on us. My route, before I retired, was all retirees, and most of them did not drive.” Brodeur said. “That’s an important thing that would be missing if it was privatized, because you’re not going to have that personal service.
We’re a service, we’re not a business.” haajrah.gilani@gmgvegas. com / 702-990-8923 / @haajrahgilani