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[Tovarisc]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/grap...tration-appointee-tracker/database/?tid=a_inl

While we’re watching the scandals du jour, the president and his top advisers are dismantling the federal government.

The rage felt by the president’s critics is real, and understandable, but it also plays into Trump’s broader agenda. His chief strategist Steve Bannon outlined that strategy this week at the Conservative Political Action Conference, describing it as nothing less than the “deconstruction of the administrative state.” Bannon’s comments this week suggest a darker, more nefarious purpose to the nascent Trump administration’s dysfunction. It may be the case that the Trump team is deliberately failing to staff, manage, and provide resources for federal agencies so as to sabotage and slowly dismantle them. To make matters worse, the Trump team might be leveraging the controversies regarding its disastrous national security moves to obscure and conceal that slow and steady demolition of the bureaucracy.

After the election, the administration was slow to deploy its transition teams, pick top officials, develop future budgets, and generally take the reins of government. By almost any measure, the Trump White House lagged behind prior transitions in these efforts—it was the dog that caught the car and didn’t know what to do next. To this day, the Trump administration lags in terms of picking its political appointees, let alone articulating a comprehensive policy agenda that goes much beyond “make America great again.” At the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the two largest federal agencies by budget and headcount, the Trump imprint on policy remains amazingly light. One can glean more about acquisition, health care, or war-making from presidential tweets than from the White House’s website.

As of this writing, the Trump administration has failed to announce its picks for deputy, undersecretary, and assistant secretary positions across government, let alone to submit those nominations to the Senate for confirmation. Political personnel appointments are, as the old saying goes, a form of policy. These administration appointees are the actual executors of any administration’s agenda. They are the ones whose orders, directives, and oversight provide guidance to millions of federal employees and contractors.

The officials the Trump administration has appointed include personnel whose résumés are extraordinarily thin on governance experience and who are hostile to the government itself. Dr. Ben Carson, the former presidential candidate who is now leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has never worked in government. Neither has Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, whose donations have funded an anti-federal agenda for years. One appointee, Gov. Rick Perry, has plenty of public sector experience, but he previously took the position that his future agency (the Department of Energy) ought to be wiped off the map.

Beyond leaders, agencies need congressional authorization and funding to function. And yet, because the agencies lack political leaders beyond the midlevel transition teams deployed after the inauguration, they are woefully behind in preparing budgets for President Trump to submit to Congress. In years past, Presidents Bush and Obama submitted their budgets within a few weeks of taking office, thanks to Herculean amounts of work by their transition teams to develop detailed fiscal plans. These teams understood that the budget submission was the key to execution of their policy agenda. It’s possible that the Trump team doesn’t understand that linkage between funding and policy. It’s also possible the Trump team doesn’t care if agencies get new budgets because its ultimate goal is to starve these agencies. If Congress continues to pass continuing resolutions that freeze funding at current levels, while the White House’s hiring and regulatory freezes remain in place, federal agencies will begin to shrink by attrition.

Each of these forms of neglect advances the Bannon/Trump agenda of crippling the federal government. Unfortunately, we’re too busy paying attention to Russian intrigues, presidential conflicts of interest, and unconstitutional immigration policies to notice that the Trump team has already started its campaign to undo the state that has evolved since the New Deal to serve the American people.

Source: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...mp_is_dismantling_the_federal_government.html

 

[xxracerxx]

Getting so much done, no time to actual fill positions!

 

[Polk]

See? Small goverment like he promised.

 

[djplaeskool]

Small governance through non-governance.

 

[Lord Frieza]

So, are we back to Bannon is the black mage running everything in the shadows mode? Or is this more from the fact that Trump has no idea what he's doing, is surrounded by people who have no idea what they're doing, and is so mixed in scandals and a strong desire to campaign over govern? Is this really a calculated attempt to dismantle the federal government, or is this a driver at the wheel not really knowing what the knobs and pedals do and not really caring?

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

So, are we back to Bannon is the black mage running everything in the shadows mode? Or is this more from the fact that Trump has no idea what he's doing, is surrounded by people who have no idea what they're doing, and is so mixed in scandals and a strong desire to campaign over govern? Is this really a calculated attempt to dismantle the federal government, or is this a driver at the wheel not really knowing what the knobs and pedals do and not really caring?

They have no idea what spots need to be filled or even there existence.

 

[Tovarisc]

So, are we back to Bannon is the black mage running everything in the shadows mode?

I doubt Bannon was never gone. He just backed out of spotlight, but kept at it.

This is part of their agenda and it's going forward, even if fueled by incompetence

 

[Autodidact]

In the long-term, this neglect might be for the best. We won't have to deal with courts full of Trump appointees for generations.

EDIT: Keep in mind that they might be having difficulty finding anyone to take the jobs. Remember the FBI director thread? No one wants to work with or be associated with crazy/treason/incompetence.

 

[Frozenprince]

Jesus Christ the next presidency might have to spend their entire 4 years simply undoing the damage shit like this causes.

A federal govt with over 440 seats that are needed to set departmental budgets empty.

It's going to take a term just to repair THIS. Let alone everything else.

 

[Lord Frieza]

I doubt Bannon was never gone. He just backed out of spotlight, but kept at it.

This is part of their agenda and it's going forward, even if fueled by incompetence

Rumor is that Bannon was pretty neutered last time I heard. Obviously, it's impossible to know without being there, but it definitely seemed like the mood of the WH shifted when that NSA thing happened and Jared became pointman.

 

[hodayathink]

So, are we back to Bannon is the black mage running everything in the shadows mode? Or is this more from the fact that Trump has no idea what he's doing, is surrounded by people who have no idea what they're doing, and is so mixed in scandals and a strong desire to campaign over govern? Is this really a calculated attempt to dismantle the federal government, or is this a driver at the wheel not really knowing what the knobs and pedals do and not really caring?

I remember reading about this (the deliberate understaffing of federal agencies) in January/February. This isn't incompetence, it's fully on purpose.

 

[Frozenprince]

I remember reading about this in January/February. This isn't incompetence, it's fully on purpose.

It's one thing if he abolished the departments. It's shitty, but it's within his purview.

This is just spiteful nonsense to appear to be doing something.

 

[spekkeh]

Yeah Perry for Energy, DeVos for Education.. this has been going on for some time. Their failure to appoint people though, maybe? Does the Senate have a say in this beyond only approving the candidate?

 

[frontovik]

All the wolves and pigs are in the hen house I see.

 

[KernelPanic]

It's a way of consolidating power.

 

[jiiikoo]

I'm guessing he hasn't gotten around to appointing the ambassadors yet? Such much things done, yuge things, many appointees, bigliest appointees.

 

[Yoshimitsu126]

Jesus Christ the next presidency might have to spend their entire 4 years simply undoing the damage shit like this causes.

A federal govt with over 440 seats that are needed to set departmental budgets empty.

It's going to take a term just to repair THIS. Let alone everything else.

And then the media will talk about how imcompetent the next administration is and viewers who arent engaged into news buy into it. Unless the media shows some respect from themselves after these four years and the public engagement in politics or at least credible news remain strong.

 

[ClosingADoor]

So, are we back to Bannon is the black mage running everything in the shadows mode? Or is this more from the fact that Trump has no idea what he's doing, is surrounded by people who have no idea what they're doing, and is so mixed in scandals and a strong desire to campaign over govern? Is this really a calculated attempt to dismantle the federal government, or is this a driver at the wheel not really knowing what the knobs and pedals do and not really caring?

If this isn't on purpose, why wouldn't they get Republican politicians in to manage those things while Trump goes on his campaign and Twitter bullshit again.

This stuff can be delegated and be taken care of. And it should.

 

[Robiin]

Is there a deadline or something for this?

In my country, when your party gets x amount of seats in an election those positions are already planned out, and are filled instantly when the transfering of power takes place (usually four months or so after election).

Whst the fuck is going on in America, your country and political system is so balls to the walls crazy that this shit Trump/GOP is pulling is even legal and possible.

 

[zero_suit]

Jesus Christ the next presidency might have to spend their entire 4 years simply undoing the damage shit like this causes.

A federal govt with over 440 seats that are needed to set departmental budgets empty.

It's going to take a term just to repair THIS. Let alone everything else.

GOP fucks up-->Democrat picks up the pieces

The cycle will continue.

 

[Reptars Revenge]

I'm going to tweet him for a position.

 

[Frozenprince]

GOP fucks up-->Democrat picks up the pieces

The cycle will continue.

There's picking up the pieces and then there's this.

This is wanton neglect of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

 

[Wilsongt]

Draining the swamp!

 

[Xe4]

GOP fucks up-->Democrat picks up the pieces

The cycle will continue.

Yeah, the full cycle is:
GOP fucks up --> Democrat picks up the pieces --> People are comfy under democrat, forget how shit it was under GOP --> People elect GOP idiot --> GOP fucks up --> ...

 

[hodayathink]

It's one thing if he abolished the departments. It's shitty, but it's within his purview.

This is just spiteful nonsense to appear to be doing something.

Abolish them entirely and it creates bigger stories, and more importantly gives Dems a very easy line of attack (how can he call himself a job creator if he got rid of jobs in the federal government). Do this and you can claim their inefficiency first, and the argue that getting rid of them is more about cutting the fat than anything else.

 

[jiiikoo]

https://twitter.com/nbcnews/status/871091840086401025

 

[Lord Frieza]

I remember reading about this (the deliberate understaffing of federal agencies) in January/February. This isn't incompetence, it's fully on purpose.

I'm not convinced.

If this isn't on purpose, why wouldn't they get Republican politicians in to manage those things while Trump goes on his campaign and Twitter bullshit again.

This stuff can be delegated and be taken care of. And it should.

You're thinking too logically. Trump doesn't think this way, and I'm not seeing a lot of evidence the people around do very much either. It's a brain drain effect. When you have a bunch of people who are either total idiots or completely incapable, it seems a natural side effect.

It feels like these narratives form of these people as calculating geniuses, dark mages, manipulating everything, but then when we get a peek inside or something goes remotely wrong, it looks more and more like flailing incompetence.

 

[Vicetrailia]

Sad that on Facebook democrats who didn't vote won't read a lick of this.

 

[Lord Frieza]

Sad that on Facebook democrats who didn't vote won't read a lick of this.

I mean, share it on FB and send it to some of them? I dunno.

 

[WhiteRabbitEXE]

Jesus Christ the next presidency might have to spend their entire 4 years simply undoing the damage shit like this causes.

A federal govt with over 440 seats that are needed to set departmental budgets empty.

It's going to take a term just to repair THIS. Let alone everything else.

If the next president is a Democrat, that's absolutely literally all they'll be doing.

 

[cameron]

It’s possible that the Trump team doesn’t understand that linkage between funding and policy. It’s also possible the Trump team doesn’t care if agencies get new budgets because its ultimate goal is to starve these agencies.

Both.

If Congress continues to pass continuing resolutions that freeze funding at current levels, while the White House’s hiring and regulatory freezes remain in place, federal agencies will begin to shrink by attrition.

The next administration is properly fucked.

 

[ClosingADoor]

Is there a deadline or something for this?

In my country, when your party gets x amount of seats in an election those positions are already planned out, and are filled instantly when the transfering of power takes place (usually four months or so after election).

Whst the fuck is going on in America, your country and political system is so balls to the walls crazy that this shit Trump/GOP is pulling is even legal and possible.

Over here the people will just stay put and continue working. When the new government is formed after they negotiated their coalition, the new people move in.

You're thinking too logically. Trump doesn't think this way, and I'm not seeing a lot of evidence the people around do very much either. It's a brain drain effect. When you have a bunch of people who are either total idiots or completely incapable, it seems a natural side effect.

It feels like these narratives form of these people as calculating geniuses, dark mages, manipulating everything, but then when we get a peek inside or something goes remotely wrong, it looks more and more like flailing.

Maybe. But there also seems to be no effort just to get a document under Trumps nose and have him sign it. If they are that incompetent, some Republicans could just have them do that. Instead the Trump team decides to do nothing, so that seems to be bit more then incompetence. Maybe they truly think those positions aren't necessary or important to fill now I guess.

 

[Tovarisc]

Is there a deadline or something for this?

Afaik they can leave these positions permanently unappointed if they want to.

https://twitter.com/nbcnews/status/871091840086401025

NBC got answer? Nice, I remember one segment mentioning they have been pumping WH for this info.

Lets keep this theme going with...

Trump plans week-long focus on infrastructure, starting with privatizing air traffic control: https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...1bb629f64cb_story.html?utm_term=.567bf9b373d2

 

[Lord Frieza]

Maybe. But there also seems to be no effort just to get a document under Trumps nose and have him sign it. If they are that incompetent, some Republicans could just have them do that. Instead the Trump team decides to do nothing, so that seems to be bit more then incompetence. Maybe they truly think those positions aren't necessary or important to fill now I guess.

But again, you're thinking logically. Trump doesn't listen to anyone but his inner circle, and even then, barely. We saw this several times on the campaign and since he became president. He doesn't understand, he doesn't care, and there's really just no one that can change that to a significant degree.

 

[theWB27]

Does it state how many of these positions can't be filled because no one wants to work for them also?

 

[hodayathink]

I'm not convinced.



You're thinking too logically. Trump doesn't think this way, and I'm not seeing a lot of evidence the people around do very much either. It's a brain drain effect. When you have a bunch of people who are either total idiots or completely incapable, it seems a natural side effect.

It feels like these narratives form of these people as calculating geniuses, dark mages, manipulating everything, but then when we get a peek inside or something goes remotely wrong, it looks more and more like flailing incompetence.

See, while I think the team around Trump is inexperienced and fairly stupid, I don't really consider them fully incompetent, or at least not in this way. In other words, I think they have a reason for everything they do and don't do, I just think those reasons generally end up being terrible reasons that don't hold up to any real logic or questioning. So I don't think these positions aren't filled because they just forgot about them or anything that incompetent (as someone else said, if it were just that they forgot then some other government Republicans would be trying to get these positions filled if only to try to get people installed in these positions that either could help them or that contributed to their campaigns in some way (like the way, IIRC, some ambassadorships have been handed out in the past).

 

[dskillzhtown]

I was supposed to work on a project at the CDC dealing with more effective tracking of illness reports. The project has been put on indefinite hold because they can't get funding approved. They kept telling me that in the past the funding would come in a matter of days or weeks. This has been going on for months now. No telling how many other important projects are being put on hold elsewhere in the government if the CDC can't get their cash.

The damage that is being done by this administration is going to take years and years to fix.

 

[Ac30]

Errr, the disaster relief departments also have no heads, right? Hurricane season is going to be brutal. Moron.

 

[the_id]

 

[Prototype Viktor]

Rumor is that Bannon was pretty neutered last time I heard. Obviously, it's impossible to know without being there, but it definitely seemed like the mood of the WH shifted when that NSA thing happened and Jared became pointman.

But it probably was his plan that's still in place even if he isn't there to hand knead it

 

[kess]

Dereliction of duty at the head of the ship of state.

 

[DietRob]

This crippling of the US Government is exactly what his base and the majority of the GOP wants.

 

[Ac30]

This crippling of the US Government is exactly what his base and the majority of the GOP wants.

Us Belgians survived two years without a federal government, sorta. We'll see if the world survives 4 years of a rudderless USA.

 

[PrivateWHudson]

I'm going to tweet him for a position.

That's what I was thinking. Send him a resume and a contribution to his 2020 campaign, and maybe get a cushy federal job. Could use the good insurance.

 

[Oersted]

I remember reading about this (the deliberate understaffing of federal agencies) in January/February. This isn't incompetence, it's fully on purpose.

Yep. And most people they hired were on temp position aka they could fire them anytime

 

[yanipheonu]

This all reads like people who want to make a smaller government and be a dictator, but is doing it really stupidly.

 

[numble]

In the long-term, this neglect might be for the best. We won't have to deal with courts full of Trump appointees for generations.

EDIT: Keep in mind that they might be having difficulty finding anyone to take the jobs. Remember the FBI director thread? No one wants to work with or be associated with crazy/treason/incompetence.

In pretty sure he's not neglecting the court appointments. He is just neglecting the administrative state.

 

[Ac30]

In pretty sure he's not neglecting the court appointments. He is just neglecting the administrative state.

Is there anywhere we can track court appointments?

 

[Autodidact]

Shit will hit the fan the moment the first natural disaster hits and people can point and say, "We didn't have enough people or resources because of him!"

I hope we have the most benign, uneventful hurricane season ever, as I hope every year, but a Katrina-like event would be devastating to this country and his presidency. It would probably cause him to lose a bunch of core supporters. (Remember how lucky Bush was to have Katrina in his second term?) Again, hoping for the best, but the crystal ball looks pretty clear.

 

[Abinash117]

See, while I think the team around Trump is inexperienced and fairly stupid, I don't really consider them fully incompetent, or at least not in this way. In other words, I think they have a reason for everything they do and don't do, I just think those reasons generally end up being terrible reasons that don't hold up to any real logic or questioning. So I don't think these positions aren't filled because they just forgot about them or anything that incompetent (as someone else said, if it were just that they forgot then some other government Republicans would be trying to get these positions filled if only to try to get people installed in these positions that either could help them or that contributed to their campaigns in some way (like the way, IIRC, some ambassadorships have been handed out in the past).

A lot of Republicans don't really want to work with the administration. They actually tried though, but I think the campaign people that was brought in didn't want to work with the "establishment"( I think they actually tried to hire people, but it was very slow). Moving forward to today, I very doubt anyone wants to work for the government now.

Like the article stated, the administration need the agencies to push policies. Gutting the government agencies will just make pushing policies more ineffective , unless they make new rules and pass laws to Trump more powerful in passing his policies through the executive branch. However, none of that is happening.

I say it is combination of ignorance, inexperience, a lack of caring, and for some like Bannon a feature. I very much doubt it totally intentional.