Fact check: Does US Postal Service letter suggest Trump would impose martial law?

WASHINGTON, DC: In January 2026, a letter was given from a US Postal Service leader to employees, providing guidance regarding working during epidemics, hurricanes, and civil unrest.

Following this, a rumor circulated online claiming that there is a high chance that President Donald Trump would be imposing martial law anytime soon. But is there any truth to this rumor? Let us find out below.

Claim: USPS letter suggests Trump would impose martial law

An X user shared a picture of the letter by USPS to its employees and mentioned in the caption, "United States Postal Service sends alarming letter out to all employees and contractors. The letter signals that an impending crisis of civil unrest or an epidemic could be imminent!" 

The caption further read, "What do they know you don't? Just days into 2026, USPS is issuing memos reminding workers to carry "essential service" letters and IDs to bypass travel restrictions during emergencies like epidemics, hurricanes, or CIVIL UNREST. Government prepping while we're in the dark? The last time Truckers saw these letters in our industry was during the COVID crisis! Pay Attention America."

Similarly, another X user wrote while sharing a TikTok clip, "Postal workers started receiving a warning letter about Travel Restrictions and having to carry Essential worker documents and people are saying it’s most likely due to Martial law being imposed by Trump!"

The letter said postal workers are exempt from state and local curfews or travel restrictions, and they should carry another letter with that information to provide to law enforcement if necessary.

Fact check: False, the letter does not mention any specific crisis

The claims made in the online rumors are false, as the USPS letter to its employees does not mention any specific crisis or current event and does not mention immigration enforcement, Trump, or martial law, despite X posts claiming it.

Moreover, the social media posts are dated after January 7, when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good, and protests against ICE intensified after the shooting. 

The speaker in a TikTok video, which was posted on X, speculated about whether the letter was related to ICE, asking, "Is the stage set? Is it a powder keg ready waiting to go?"

Furthermore, the US Postal Service website shows employees received similar letters in March, June, July, and December 2020. Postal workers said in January that they received similar letters during hurricane season or snowstorms.

President Trump has not said he will impose martial law, which means suspending civil law while the military takes control of civilian functions such as courts.