US Postal Service chief wants to resign, sources say
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| The U.S. Capitol dome and American flag in Washington, D.C. File photo. |
WASHINGTON — September 17, 2026
U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner has told people close to him that he wants to resign, according to four people familiar with his thinking, as the U.S. Postal Service faces severe financial pressure and growing political scrutiny over mail-in voting.
Steiner, who became postmaster general in July 2025, has expressed frustration about what he sees as limited support from the White House and Congress as the Postal Service struggles with long-running financial problems, the people said. The agency has warned that difficult financial conditions are putting pressure on its ability to maintain services.
The reported frustration has also come as the Postal Service has become involved in a wider dispute over federal rules for mail-in voting. President Donald Trump ordered changes to the handling of federal election mail in March, while courts have since blocked the administration from putting key parts of the new rules into effect before the November elections.
The pressures came into sharper focus during a Senate hearing in June, where lawmakers questioned Steiner about the Postal Service's financial losses, delivery performance, his compensation and the administration's approach to mail-in voting. People familiar with Steiner's thinking said he was angry after the hearing and later described the position as difficult and unrewarding.
One of the people said Steiner conveyed that the job was not what he had expected when he accepted it. The four people spoke anonymously because they were discussing Steiner's private conversations.
The Postal Service rejected the account, saying the information had "absolutely zero validity," while declining to address the specific claims. Steiner did not respond directly to a request for an interview in the material reviewed for this report.
Steiner leads an organization with hundreds of thousands of employees and is appointed and evaluated by the Postal Service Board of Governors. USPS currently lists Steiner as both postmaster general and chief executive officer.
Before joining the Postal Service, Steiner served on the FedEx board and was chief executive of Waste Management. The Postal Service appointed him in May 2025, and he formally began his term on July 15 of that year.
According to the people familiar with the matter, Steiner had indicated during the hiring process that he expected to serve for about two years. They also said he had considered leaving as early as late 2025 because of the Postal Service's financial difficulties.
The agency has been under continuing financial strain. In its latest quarterly results, USPS said it was facing a severe liquidity crisis and needed legislative and other changes to put its finances on a sustainable path. The agency has also imposed restrictions on nonessential spending as it seeks to conserve cash.
Steiner has previously told lawmakers that major changes may be needed to address the Postal Service's financial position, including reforms involving retirement obligations and other rules affecting its finances. USPS has said it is pursuing cost controls, revenue growth and policy changes while trying to maintain service.
His tenure has also coincided with increased White House involvement in postal policy. Trump has pushed changes involving package rates and mail-in voting, while Steiner has faced congressional questions over how the agency is responding.
In a September statement, Steiner defended the Postal Service's work on federal ballot mail and said the agency was acting to support the administration's stated policy goals. He also said USPS remained committed to the secure and reliable handling of election mail and to working with Congress, courts and election officials.
The reported resignation plans therefore come at a time when Steiner is dealing with both financial and political pressures. USPS continues to list him as postmaster general, and there is no confirmed announcement that he has resigned or set a departure date.
