The battle over the United States Postal Service

The latest institution to face financial ruin in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is one of America's oldest and most popular agencies: The United States Postal Service.

Listen 49:00
(Danya Henninger/Billy Penn)

(Danya Henninger/Billy Penn)

The latest institution to face financial ruin in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is one of America’s oldest and most popular agencies: The United States Postal Service. Yet despite enjoying a 90% approval rating among Americans, the USPS has become a personal target of President Trump, who has threatened to deny the agency financial support unless they increase their package rates. The history of the USPS is long and, at times, radical. The New Yorker‘s CASEY CEP joins us to delve into this history and the agency’s future as well as reflect on her experience growing up in a USPS union household. But first, JACOB BOGAGE gives us the latest updates on the state of the USPS, including the new postmaster general appointed last week by President Trump.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal