Republicans Are Skeptical of Trump’s Idea to Privatize the Postal Service

Trump said last week that privatizing the U.S. Postal Service is “not the worst idea” he’s heard, but some Republican lawmakers told NOTUS that it’s not that simple for their rural constituents.

Lisa Murkowski

Mariam Zuhaib/AP

Republicans have a long history of agreeing with President-elect Donald Trump’s ideas, but some are already balking at the thought of privatizing the U.S. Postal Service.

Since Trump floated privatizing USPS last week, several congressional Republicans have been quick to express concern and confusion about whether that would leave their constituencies — many of which are rural, expansive districts that rely on USPS — underserved.

Outgoing Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer told NOTUS he’s “very concerned” about what Postal Service privatization would look like for communities like his — a small Missouri town of a few hundred people.