The civil service. The "permanent government." The nonpartisan professionals who staff the agencies, and stay on the job from one election to the next, and do whatever is in their agency's mission statement, and enjoy a recognized sphere of independence from political pressure from the White House. That's what we've had ever since the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.
Before that, we had the spoils system. Which was infamously corrupt and incompetent and nepotistic. Like an urban political machine at the federal level.
Based on his behavior since taking office, one is tempted to suspect that Trump wants to return to the spoils system.
Before that, we had the spoils system. Which was infamously corrupt and incompetent and nepotistic. Like an urban political machine at the federal level.
Based on his behavior since taking office, one is tempted to suspect that Trump wants to return to the spoils system.