Postmaster General David Steiner has expressed to associates his desire to resign, citing deep discouragement with his position, according to four individuals familiar with his perspective. The head of the U.S. Postal Service is reportedly frustrated by a lack of support from the White House and Congress in addressing the agency's persistent financial difficulties. Concurrently, the Postal Service has become a focal point in the debate surrounding mail-in voting, particularly after President Donald Trump directed the agency to manage mail ballots. The Supreme Court recently blocked key elements of this plan, representing a setback for the White House.
Steiner, who assumed leadership in July 2025 following the White House's removal of his predecessor, faced intense questioning during a contentious June Senate hearing. Lawmakers from both parties interrogated him regarding service issues, Trump's proposed ballot restrictions, and his compensation. During the hearing, Steiner defended the proposal for mail-in voting, stating that states would want information to ensure ballot integrity. He also engaged in exchanges with Committee Chair Rand Paul over the agency's financial losses and with Senator Elissa Slotkin, who accused him of being a "a pawn" in Trump's efforts to limit voting access.
Following the hearing, Steiner described the job as thankless and expressed his desire to leave, according to the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The message was, this isn’t what he signed up for, and he didn’t come on board to get beat up like this," one person said. The Postal Service has denied the claims, stating they have "absolutely zero validity," but did not comment on specific events or offer an interview with Steiner.
The Postmaster General, responsible for an agency with 630,000 employees, is appointed by and reports to a bipartisan board of governors. This structure is designed to shield the Postal Service from political interference. Steiner, a former FedEx board member and CEO of Waste Management, had indicated during his hiring process that he intended to serve approximately two years. He has previously warned lawmakers that without additional federal funding, the agency would be compelled to reduce delivery days and close less profitable post offices, many of which are located in rural areas.
Lawmakers have largely opposed Steiner's proposals for service reductions, and increases in rates have drawn criticism from mail and package companies seeking to mitigate losses. President Trump has demonstrated a higher level of involvement with the Postal Service compared to his predecessors, advocating for higher parcel rates, influencing the selection of the Postmaster General, and attempting to implement restrictions on mail-in voting.
Despite the scrutiny, the extent to which congressional inquiries into Trump's ballot rules have contributed to Steiner's dissatisfaction remains unclear. Sources suggest that Steiner had contemplated resignation in late 2025 due to the Postal Service's challenging financial situation. In an effort to boost Steiner's morale and secure White House backing for his reform plans, individuals associated with Trump's fundraising efforts in the mailing industry organized a golf outing for Steiner with the president at one of his Florida resorts in December 2025.