Former President Trump’s enduring influence on the federal government is raising concerns, particularly in his efforts to dismantle the “administrative state.” Strategist Steve Bannon, a key architect of this deconstruction, appears to find alignment with recent Supreme Court hearings challenging the Chevron Doctrine, a four-decade-old case supporting judicial deference to federal agencies, potentially paving the way for legal assaults on regulations across agencies like the EPA and SEC.
Salon reported on Saturday, January 20, 2024, that Trump’s presidency showcased hostility toward federal agencies, driven more by personal animosity than an ideological stance against “big government.” Notably, at least two of the three Supreme Court justices appointed by Trump seem inclined to overturn the Chevron Doctrine, echoing Bannon’s vision.
Trump’s influence extends into the GOP, as seen in the party’s commitment to dismantling the administrative state. Leading Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, express readiness to take aggressive measures, echoing Trump’s confrontational approach.
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During his term, Trump’s fixation on the “deep state” led to purges of officials considered disloyal. Initiatives like “Schedule F,” designed to strip civil service protections, aimed to politicize the bureaucracy. Although President Biden revoked this executive order, it remains a focal point for Republicans. Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, proposes a radical plan to recruit and vet potential staffers to “dismantle” the administrative state, aligning with the GOP’s narrative of a bureaucratic “deep state” at odds with conservative values.
Authoritarian sentiments within the GOP are evident in the acceptance of the “unitary executive” theory, asserting the president’s absolute control over federal agencies. Some conservatives, including Trump allies, even entertain the notion of a “Red Caesar” – an authoritarian figure with dictatorial powers to counter perceived threats from the left.
Despite these ideological goals being unpopular with the American people, calls for more authoritarian leadership persist. Figures like Ohio Senator J.D. Vance advocate seizing left-leaning institutions and implementing a de-Baathification program, signaling a willingness to surpass traditional constitutional boundaries.
