Key Takeaways:
– Former President Trump has proposed making every federal bureaucrat fireable by the president in a second term.
– Critics argue such a move could intimidate civil servants and result in politically motivated decisions.
– Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Trump ally and anti-vaccine activist, could oversee changes at important public health agencies.
– Trump’s plans would affect the IRS, Pentagon, CIA, FBI, among other vital institutions.
– Policies hostile to civil service protections could fundamentally change how these institutions operate and lead to abuses of power.
Shaking Up The Federal Bureaucracy
Should Former President Trump return to office, he intends to shake up the federal bureaucracy massively by making every executive branch employee fireable by the president. Trump claims his intention is to bring an end to the “deep state” by enabling the dismissal of lower-ranking federal employees based on their political beliefs.
Trump’s proposal, known as “Schedule F,” implies wide-ranging implications; if enacted, Justice Department prosecutors could launch criminal probes into President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other Democratic figures. Further, Trump has also promised to dismiss top military officers at the Pentagon he labels as “woke,” alongside purging the CIA and the FBI, agencies he has accused of “persecuting” conservatives and his 2016 campaign.
Fears over “An Army of Suck-ups”
Several experts in federal administration believe the proposed reforms could be detrimental. Robert Shea, a self-described conservative Republican, argues that such a move could largely morph the civil service into an army of sycophantic officials. Shea, who previously served in the White House under President George W. Bush, observed that tough love from civil servants could help in making informed decisions.
Retired professor Donald F. Kettle adds that implementing “Schedule F” could trigger transformation by intimidation. If just a few employees in each agency lose their jobs, the others will swiftly absorb the message, leading to a docile workforce.
Potentially Politicizing the IRS
Trump’s proposal could especially politicize the Internal Revenue Service. Under this law, if a political appointee were to order an audit without apparent cause, civil servants who resist could be at risk of dismissal. During Trump’s first presidency, he allegedly demanded that the IRS probe multiple individuals he perceived as adversaries, extending his reach into influencing non-partisan institutions.
Widespread Upheaval in the Health Sector
Two health agencies, the FDA and the NIH, could be significantly affected under this reform. With Trump ally Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine advocate supervising changes in these agencies, civil servants who oppose the new policies could be ousted.
Changes in the Justice Department
The Justice Department could also face extreme transformation under Trump’s proposal. Career lawyers could be vulnerable due to their unprotected status, thus limiting their willingness to provide honest legal advice. Trump’s intention to overhaul and purge the department could dilute its commitment to an impartial pursuit of justice.
The Course Ahead
Eliminating civil service protections and punishing dissent could significantly alter the federal bureaucracy. Critics fear that this would pave the way for a highly politicized, less efficient, and potentially abusive administration. As a future election looms, the ramifications of such sweeping changes should not be overlooked.
Source: www.latimes.com