What is the Administrative State?

Last week, I mentioned that Donald Trump would focus on dismantling “the administrative state” during his second term. Similar to his first term, he would use various methods to weaken the governmental structures in place. One strategy could be relocating some government functions outside of the liberal atmosphere of Washington, D. C.

I see Washington as a significant barrier to reducing the power of the administrative state. It’s a heavily Democratic city, which I believe is dysfunctional, and its location makes it too partisan. Thomas Jefferson sought a neutral site for the capital, but Washington is no longer neutral. While the city has beautiful landmarks that should be preserved as tourist sites, I believe government power should be moved elsewhere.

I doubt this relocation will happen, meaning that vigilance from Trump's supporters will need to be stronger. Governing from Washington will be difficult for Trump, similar to how difficult it would have been for Dwight Eisenhower to lead the Normandy invasion without supporting planners.

Trump’s team might consider some symbolic gestures, like holding the inauguration outside of Washington. There's no constitutional mandate for the inauguration site. Past inaugurations, like Lyndon B. Johnson's on Air Force One, show that it can happen elsewhere. Considering locations like Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach or hosting a ball in Butler, PA could help remember significant moments in Trump's history.

The problems with Washington are not just partisan; they also relate to the constant expansion of government. Regardless of political affiliation, Washington seems to grow larger. While Republicans claim to favor small government, they often support increasing government size. Democrats do too but don't pretend to advocate for limited government.

This time, a new initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to reduce costs. They propose cutting $2 trillion from government spending, which may seem ambitious. Musk has previously shown he can significantly reduce staff and improve organizations like Twitter.

However, their strategy for cost-cutting remains unclear. Opposition will be fierce, but we will see if their efforts succeed.

In discussions about what the “administrative state” entails, a friend suggested it might just be a complicated term for government activities. However, I believe it represents the growing power of unelected bureaucrats who operate outside of direct governmental checks. This represents a shift away from sovereignty, where bureaucracy rather than the people holds power.

The administrative state operates covertly; it’s not recognized and lacks official acknowledgment, violating constitutional norms by forming a “fourth branch” of government. Edmund Burke noted similar issues during the reign of George III, where democratic forms hid essentially undemocratic activities, a concept that applies to our current administrate dynamics.

The stealthy nature of the administrative state often leads to hostility against free speech and a reliance on censorship to suppress dissent. This culture fosters distrust in essential societal institutions, even as claims about democracy abound. Ultimately, the administrative state undermines democracy; it must be dismantled to restore true accountability. 

https://amgreatness.com/2024/12/01/what-is-the-administrative-state/