Former President Donald Trump is making bold promises to his supporters, vowing to “demolish the deep state” and transform the federal government if given another term in office. His plans include sweeping changes to the civil service, with the goal of making every executive branch employee fireable by the President.
Trump’s initiatives, outlined by top officials in his first administration, aim to double down on executive orders that were blocked or faltered during his first term. These plans would upend the traditional civil service protections that have been in place for over 140 years, potentially moving as many as 100,000 positions out of Washington and eliminating entire departments.
While Trump’s supporters embrace these plans, policy experts warn of the dangers of politicizing the federal workforce and opening the door to corruption and political patronage. The proposed changes could lead to the forced resignation of experienced employees and a loss of expertise in key government agencies.
Critics also raise concerns about Trump’s intentions to use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies and overhaul the National Security and Intelligence apparatus. The blueprint for a second Trump term, known as Project 2025, envisions dismantling key government departments and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.
As the 2024 election approaches, the stakes are high as Trump lays out his vision for a second term that could reshape the federal government in unprecedented ways. The battle lines are drawn between those who support Trump’s aggressive agenda and those who fear the erosion of democracy and the politicization of the government.