The Postal Service is running a 'covert operations program' that monitors Americans' social media posts

[daftandbarmy]

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), or the Postal Inspectors, is the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. It supports and protects the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing the laws that defend the nation's mail system from illegal or dangerous use. Its jurisdiction covers any "crimes that may adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail, the postal system or postal employees." With roots going back to the late 18th century, the USPIS is the oldest continually operating federal law enforcement agency.

Anything that comes thru the mail they are able to investigate, including arresting Steve Bannon, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/08/20/postal-service-police-bannon/

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has awarded SIGARMS® a contract for just over 3,600 SIG SAUER® pistols chambered in 40 S&W. The contract which was announced February 9, is for the SIG SAUER P229R featuring an M1913 Picatinny rail, SIGLITE® night sights and the new DAKT trigger system. The contract is the fourth major federal contract won by SIGARMS in the last six months and follows on the heels of the $23.7 million pistol contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in August, a $4.2 million pistol contract awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard and a contract with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command for 5,000 units of the new SIG SAUER SP2022 pistol. 2005 news story, could not find it with proper information to back it up.

They're paying attention

 

[Retired AF Guy]

I can't remember the title of the book, but I read a book years ago about an individuals foray into the world of CSIS and RCMP intel. It turns out Canada Post, and many postal agencies in the west, in fact have very capable intelligence cells that are more active than we would ever realize.

That being said, I agree... not sure the US needs 'yet another' federal quasi law enforcement agency.

Actually, using the postal service to intercept suspected mail goes as far back (if not before) as the 1600s when John Thurloe was Spymaster General and later Postmaster General** for Oliver Cromwell.

** If you are going to have your head of intelligence surreptitiously opening peoples mail, you might as well make it easier and make him the head of the post office as well.