Trump 2.0 and the Deep State
January 20, 2025
In 2016 when Donald Trump was sworn in as President he did so with a mindset that Republicans and Democrats basically wanted what was best for America. They had different ways of getting there. But this was Donald Trump’s learned behavior. He had worked with Republicans and Democrats his entire life. He had received awards from both parties and he was courted by both parties. He had successfully built his business by leveraging relationships – regardless of party affiliation. It was an “Art of the Deal” mentality that proved successful for decades. And then, he made the audacious decision to run for elected office. This was not just any elected office but the most powerful position in the entire world.
Coming from a business environment, Trump’s mindset seemed to be focused on placing managers in cabinet roles. The expectation was that the rank and file would follow orders just as he was accustomed to occurring in the private sector. President Trump did not replace the bureaucratic equivalent of the mid-level manager, and unfortunately, that proved to be a critical error. Most of what Trump was able to accomplish in his first term were policies he was able to implement unilaterally.
It’s clearly different this time. President Trump has admitted that in his first term he did not know who the good people and bad people were. He says he knows who’s who this time around and his actions clearly indicate that understanding.
According to RFK Jr., President Trump privately funded his transition team beginning in July. This is something generally funded by taxpayer funds administered by the General Services Administration after the November general election. In addition to his cabinet appointments, reports are the incoming Trump Administration has hired over 1,000 people already. Presumably, these individuals will take key mid-level and rank and file positions in the Executive Branch. Time will tell what results this change in approach will yield. Yet, I expect the results will be better than before.
Today, there are approximately three million federal employees. Let’s say the Trump Administration has hired 1,500 employees at this point. That’s only .05% of total federal employees, and that means an overwhelming majority are likely more beholden to the bureaucracy than the Trump Administration’s objectives. Many current federal employees have warned they will quit before they work in the Trump Administration. And to that I say, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.” In fact, that may provide the Musk/Ramaswamy-led Department of Government Efficiency a quick win if they put their money where their mouths are.
The Swamp is still pretty swampy. After four years of the Biden Administration, it’s probably worse than it was in 2016. To our benefit, the Courts have struck down several of Biden’s policies. The first was his administration’s attempt to mandate that every private sector employee of a company with more than 100 employees receive the first round of the COVID shot. Refusal would mean termination. This was to be enforced by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It would have affected more than 100 million Americans. The most recent Biden Administration policy to be struck down is their anti-woman rewrite of Title IX. The bureaucracy stood ready to implement this and every other unconstitutional Biden policy.
When Donald Trump takes office, there undoubtedly will be a return to pro-growth, energy independence and immigration enforcing policies. It will be an uphill battle to bring about the first reduction in the size of the federal government since the Coolidge Administration. And, history shows us that central governments do not decrease in size or return decision-making back to state and local government levels of their own accord.
The convention of states process remains the most likely method to return us to a constitutional governing structure. I truly believe this will be a big year for Convention of States Action. We already have had our first legislative victory in a Senate Committee in South Dakota. Conditions are very favorable for passing our Commissioner Selection Bill (HB166 in the House. SB437 in the Senate.)
These victories do not occur by themselves. They only happen when We The People heed The Framers’ call to be self-governing citizens and make good things happen. YOU can make a difference. This is YOUR government. What are YOU going to do to leave a country you are proud to hand to the next generation? I have the answer.
Join the effort at www.conventionofstates.com.
In liberty,
Brett
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