This article argues against the conservative proposal of scattering federal agencies across the country. The author contends that such decentralization would ultimately empower the administrative state rather than weaken it, citing historical examples where seemingly conservative initiatives were repurposed by subsequent administrations.
— or, as conservative intellectuals like to say, “dismantle the administrative state .” One proposal gaining traction on the Right is scattering federal agencies across the country.
Take the former White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, created in 2001 by then-President George W. Bush. Conservatives cheered. After all, what could be better than a federal initiative promoting faith? Then Obama took over, and suddenly the office was pushing the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, gutting religious hiring protections, and pressuring people of conviction to support LGBT policies. A Trojan horse inside the gates.
The notion that red states will keep agencies in check is wishful thinking. The money and influence of crony capitalism will follow faster than you can say “Swamp 2.0.” Or think of the lyrics of a famous early-1960s tune: “I will follow you / Follow you wherever you may go / There isn’t an ocean too deep / A mountain so high it can keep me away.”
Look at the map. Deep-red states always have at least one stubbornly blue enclave. It’s usually the state capital or a city with a dense cluster of government offices and universities.
Federal Government Decentralization Administrative State Conservative Policy Accountability
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump admin directs US federal agencies to terminate diversity staffEarlier this week Trump had ordered government agency heads to submit a written plan for reducing employees in DEI offices.
Read more »
Trump Admin Orders Federal Agencies to Identify Low-Performing EmployeesThe Trump administration instructed all federal departments and agencies to compile lists of employees who have received performance ratings below 'fully successful' over the past three years. This directive, issued by the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), aims to implement new performance metrics aligned with President Trump's executive orders and facilitate the swift termination of underperforming employees.
Read more »
Federal Agencies Lack Critical Information About Some of Their Riskiest AI SystemsFrom facial recognition tools to algorithms that identify diseases, agencies reported that they didn't know enough about what they're acquiring from commercial vendors.
Read more »
Democrats Propose Ban on Fossil Fuel Lobbyists from Leading Key Federal AgenciesTwo progressive U.S. Senate Democrats introduced legislation to bar former oil, gas, and coal executives or lobbyists from leading numerous energy-related federal agencies for 10 years after leaving the private sector.
Read more »
Trump orders federal agencies to recognize only two sexes that are 'not changeable'President Trump signed executive orders Monday asserting that the U.S. government recognizes only two sexes that are 'not changeable,' and reversing Biden administration directives on LGBTQ+ rights.
Read more »
Trump Administration Orders Dismantling of DEI Initiatives in Federal AgenciesPresident Donald Trump's administration has initiated a sweeping effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across all federal agencies. A memo from the Office of Personnel Management instructs agencies to place all employees in DEI roles on paid leave and to cease all DEI-related activities within 60 days. This move comes after Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office, calling for the termination of DEI 'mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities' in the federal government.
Read more »