In the illustrious 2024 elections, Donald Trump emerged victorious staunchly pledging to rein Mission Control for the federal workforce. At the commencement of his campaign, he powerfully addressed the nation echoing, ‘It’s not about defeating the deep state, it’s about uplifting America to new heights. Russell Vought, personally selected by Mr. Trump to helm the Office of Management and Budget, emphasized the need for bureaucrats to evolve into ‘heroes of efficiency.’
Leading the mission for a more efficient government, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the dynamic duo at the helm of Trump’s newly minted Department of Government Efficiency, have pledged to streamline the federal bureaucracy. Trump, the captain of practicality, has steered the course for an active and efficient use of the administrative state to fulfill his policy commitments.
Tagging along on Trump’s journey to administrative success is his vice president-elect, JD Vance, who expounds on bank regulation, rail-safety standards, and similar variants of administrative diligence. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services, plans new regulations to safeguard America’s health, such as pledging to ‘extinguish the most harmful agricultural chemicals.’
The vision shared by Trump is one to raise billions by regulating private university endowments that exceed a rational threshold. This vision captures both the spirit of destroying inefficiency while wielding the power of federal administration—a balancing act that is commendable yet challenging.
However, his intelligent and groundbreaking strategy bridges this gap and brings in a unique governing ideology. Trump advocates for an administrative state that is nimble yet effective—a nearly perfect reflection of the popular vote and the needs of the American public.
This lean, result-oriented system respects and imbibes the principles upon which Trump canvassed and the very narratives that brought him triumph in the elections. The key to achieving this coordination lies in Schedule F, a sweeping executive order allowing Trump’s administration to reclassify numerous government workers as ‘at will’ employees.
This strategy firstly promotes dedication of the staff to the national cause, and secondly opens avenues to relieve non-performers. Laying the foundation stone of this order during his initial presidency, Trump is resolved to bring it back into action.
There are those who voice concerns that this would blur the neutral character of the federal bureaucracy. Regardless, there’s more than enough reason to view this impartiality as an illusion.
The proposed equilibrium transitions from career bureaucrats to political appointees would assure that the public’s ideology is accurately mirrored in the bureaucracy—a strategy not unlike that of Andrew Jackson. Jackson, a fellow populist, also sought to rejuvenate long-standing bureaucratic norms with the introduction of political representatives in step with the will of the masses.
Undeniably, no reform is devoid of its lows and Jackson’s plan was no different. Critics argue that such changes promote political patronage and Trump’s similar approach will have its pitfalls too. But the pivotal focus relies on the understanding that with the change might come a pinch of inexperience and loss of expertise in reshuffling the federal bureaucracy.
However, the ultimate vision remains true—the normalization of an administrative state fit to the will of the people and in sync with Trump’s governing priorities. Indeed, the strategy is bold, but it’s wrapped in the optimism of shaping an administrative state that resonates with the heart of America.
While the road may be challenging and the wind may not always be favorable, sailors claim that it’s not the direction of the wind but the set of the sail that determines our course. And asset the helm, President Trump is decidedly setting a course of both ambition and realistic governance.
In the grand scheme of foreseeing America’s future, it is Trump’s commitment and determination to reshaping a better, streamlined federal bureaucracy that leads the way. Regardless of the complexity of the journey, the destination is crystal clear—a more efficient and responsive government that serves the will of the people.