Transition Tales: Draining the Swamp Won't Be as Easy as You Think

[Valin]

PJ Media:

J. Christian Adams

November 13, 2016

 

Twice in thirty-five years, Republicans have taken executive power from Democrats. Twice, Democrats enjoyed great success is keeping the ministerial state firmly in the camp of the ideological left.

 

Some gains were made in reining in the power of bureaucrats -- particularly by Ronald Reagan in 1980, but less so by George Bush in 2000. Team Trump can learn from the mistakes of the past. Draining the swamp can't happen by flicking a switch. But some lessons from history can help.

 

Here are three smart ways to help #DrainTheSwamp.

 

Consider what happened at the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in 2000 as a case study. The Civil Rights Division is the most powerful and radical part of the most powerful and radical federal agency. In 2000, Clinton political appointees at the Justice Department did all they could in the two months between the election and the inauguration to sabotage any incoming agenda of the Bush administration.

 

These problems will manifest across the federal government, but this agency was the engine of the most radical Obama policies, so it deserves special attention.

 

1. Reverse the Coming Hiring Spree of Leftists and Burrowed-In Political Hacks

 

(Snip)

[Valin]

In Defense of the Washington Swamp
Eli Lake
Nov 14, 2016

It's not a great moment for permanent Washington. You know who I mean: the policy analysts, the journalists, the deputy assistant secretaries, the consultants, the legislative directors, the former congressmen, the lobbyists, the think tank executives. Americans just elected Donald Trump, who has promised to drain this cozy swamp. And even though Trump did not win the popular vote last Tuesday, many voters on the left and right agree with him on the swamp issue. Remember, Bernie Sanders nearly won the Democratic nomination with the same message.

(Snip)

But before writing off the swamp entirely, it's worth thinking for a minute about the man we just elected president. While many Americans are no doubt elated, Trump campaigned at times like an authoritarian. He threatened his accusers with lawsuits. He banned members of the press from his events. He promised to jail his opponent, Hillary Clinton. He encouraged, at times, his audience to rough up protesters.

 

It may be that all of this banana republic bravado was for show. But if this is truly who Trump is, the country will need the permanent political and governing class to stop him. The leaks, slow-rolling and backstabbing that in normal times infuriate those who try to reform Washington will be the first line of defense. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to that. But if I'm wrong, you need me in that swamp.