Donald Trump has promised to shake up Washington in ways that may be unprecedented in American politics. The former president’s approach to staffing his administration and dealing with government agencies has raised eyebrows, with some experts warning of a potential war of attrition between Trump and institutions.
Trump has selected people who distrust or even disdain the agencies they’ve been chosen to lead, setting up a potential conflict. Doug Brinkley, a presidential historian, describes this approach as “dismantling the federal government.”
Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, is expected to meet with senators this week to discuss his confirmation. Patel has talked about shutting down the agency’s headquarters and targeting perceived enemies.
Greg Brower, a former U.S. attorney, says Trump wants to make law enforcement part of his “political operation run out of the White House.” This approach may be unpopular among senators, who are already considering whether to support Pete Hegseth for Pentagon chief despite allegations of misconduct.
Trump’s team claims he wants to “shatter the Deep State,” a term for entrenched civil servants who have frustrated him and his allies. The next administration is expected to prioritize outsiders over experienced government employees.
Experts warn that Trump’s approach could be detrimental to effective governance, with Margaret Spelling saying it’s a “bad management style” to treat government employees as adversaries.
Spelling’s former department could be eliminated if Trump has his way. His education secretary pick, Linda McMahon, has no experience in the field and previously ran World Wrestling Entertainment.
Trump’s plans blend conservative ideology with personal vendettas, which may appeal to voters who have lost faith in government. However, experts caution that Trump’s approach is not a straightforward solution, with Theda Skocpol warning of potential chaos if entire departments are eliminated without public input.
The federal government faces challenges under Trump’s plan, but some conservative voices see this as an opportunity to create a mess and then argue for reduced government intervention.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-deep-state-washington-c821974493749226e1f3dd633914a02f