TRUMP’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE DEEP-STATE’S GREATEST FEAR
“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in a democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government, which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes are formed, and our ideas are suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. “It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind.”
From Edwards Bernays’ (Sigmund Freud’s nephew) 1928 book, “Propaganda,”
WHO AND WHAT CONSTITUTES THE DEEP STATE?
The term deep state refers to a covert or shadow network of influential unelected individuals or organizations that operate behind the scenes to manipulate or control overt government policy, often in ways that are not subject to public oversight or democratic accountability. It implies that these entities, which might include elements of the military, intelligence agencies, bureaucracies, and sometimes business interests, exert significant power without being directly answerable to the public.
Organizations often cited when referring to the deep state in the U.S. include:
1. Intelligence Agencies (CIA, NSA, FBI)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): The CIA is often at the center of deep-state discussions due to its covert operations, long-term involvement in international affairs, and access to classified information. The CIA has been accused of employing bully tactics such as coups, regime change, assassinations, war, and meddling to exert influence over U.S. foreign policy, sometimes at odds with elected officials’ public stances.
National Security Agency (NSA): The NSA is involved in global surveillance, eavesdropping, and cyber security, and it has been at the center of debates about government overreach and privacy.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI is a domestic intelligence agency that handles national security threats, counterterrorism, and law enforcement. Its independence and wide-ranging powers have raised concerns over its overreaching ability to influence political agendas and meddle and disrupt the private lives of citizens.
2. The U.S. Military and the Pentagon
Department of Defense (DoD): The Pentagon, as the headquarters of the U.S. military, holds significant influence in domestic and foreign policy. With 800+ military bases worldwide, the DoD is a key player in decisions that shape U.S. power abroad.
Military Industrial Complex (MIC): The Military-Industrial Complex represents a form of institutional power that can push the U.S. into prolonged military engagements for personal, economic, or strategic reasons, regardless of the will of the elected leadership or the public. President Dwight D. Eisenhower coined the term, warning in his farewell speech of the potential dangers of the excessive influence of the MIC on government policy decisions.
3. Bureaucratic Agencies and Career Civil Servants
The Administrative State refers to the vast network of federal agencies and regulators that manage much of the day-to-day government operation, often independently of political leadership. Examples include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Reserve, and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These agencies are typically headed by civil servants who are not directly elected, and they often continue their work across administrations.
4. Lobbyists and Think Tanks
Corporate Lobbyists: While not part of the government per se, powerful lobbying groups representing industries like defense, pharmaceuticals, technology, and energy wield significant influence over the political process.
Think Tanks: Think tanks, such as the Brookings Institution, the Cato Institute, and the Heritage Foundation, are often deeply involved in shaping public policy by providing research, policy recommendations, and advocacy. Think tanks, particularly those backed by wealthy donors or corporate interests, can exert disproportionate influence over U.S. policy.
5. Major Tech Companies (Big Tech)
Major tech companies like Google, Facebook (Meta), Amazon, and Microsoft influence government policy, particularly with regard to data privacy, surveillance, and political influence. These companies, which convey the policies of the deep state to the public, are so intertwined with government contracts, defense technologies, and data gathering that they represent a new form of deep state—one that is private but has significant governmental influence.
Bernays’ 1928 book Propaganda is critical in understanding the “Deep State” concept today because it offers insight into psychological manipulation, mass communication, and public relations in shaping public opinion and influencing political and social outcomes. Bernays, often referred to as the “father of public relations,” was one of the first to explore the potential for modern propaganda techniques to influence individuals and societies on a large scale. In the 1920s, Joseph Goebbels became an avid admirer of Bernays and his writings. When Goebbels became the minister of propaganda for the Third Reich, he sought to exploit Bernays’ ideas to the fullest by creating a “Fuhrer cult” around Adolph Hitler.
TRUMP’S CHALLENGE
Trump remembers well how deep-state organizations disrupted and de-legitimized his previous term in office (2016 – 2019). As a result, and as President-elect, he is determined, this time around, to ensure that his goals to weaken the influence of deep state organizations are achieved so that they don’t undermine his Presidency. Trump expects his choices for key government positions to make a difference in the following critical areas where he aims to “drain the swamp”:
1. Reduce Bureaucratic Power:
Focus on deregulation and shrink federal agencies to limit their influence and scope.
2. Challenge Intelligence Agencies:
Criticize and limit the powers of agencies like the FBI and CIA, and target and remove officials he views as potentially undermining his Presidency.
3. Reform Civil Service Protections:
Push for policies to make removing unelected career bureaucrats who oppose his policies and initiatives easier.
4. Confront Political and Media Elites:
Criticize and stand up to bipartisan political insiders and confront the mainstream media for perpetuating biased narratives, misinformation, and censoring free speech.
5. Fighting Corruption:
Eliminate corruption in government institutions and expose and dismantle perceived “deep state” networks.
MY TAKE:
With two months to go before he takes office, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the question of what a second Trump presidency will look like. There’s plenty of speculation based on his selections for cabinet positions, secretaries, and other key posts. Although he is often unpredictable, he has made it clear, during his campaign and from his post choices, that focusing on the following domestic areas is are top priority:
Immigration: Strict measures like deporting undocumented immigrants, ending birthright citizenship, designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and completing the border wall.
Economy and Trade: Expanding tariffs on Chinese goods, eliminating China’s trade privileges, providing tax cuts (including eliminating Social Security taxes), and boosting domestic manufacturing.
Social Policies: Restricting LGBTQ+ rights, banning abortion pills, opposing federal climate initiatives, and improving America’s health while removing vaccine mandates in education.
Crime and Policing: Increased penalties for crimes, stronger protections for police, and pardoning January 6-related convicts.
Federal Reforms: Overhauling federal agencies, cutting diversity programs, and restructuring or privatizing climate research organizations like NOAA.
Homelessness: Enforcing bans on urban camping and creating dedicated areas to relocate homeless individuals.
Some of the above issues are polarizing and are at odds with the decade-long Deep State policies, which he attempts to challenge and overhaul during his second term. The election results and control of Congress give him a mandate and the potential to bring about change. Still, the task ahead is daunting because the Deep State will fight for its life and do everything in its power, legal or not, moral or immoral, to maintain its control over the government and the public.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Last week, President Biden met with Trump to discuss the transition from the present administration to the next one. Biden told Trump he’s looking forward to a “smooth transition.” However, this past Sunday, November 17th, Biden surprisingly authorized the first use of U.S. long-range ATACM missiles by Ukraine for strikes inside Russia. This significant change in U.S. policy creates the possibility and fear of a wider war. What’s disturbing and inexplicable is why Biden, whose administration was repudiated in the election, made this reckless decision without mentioning it to Trump during their meeting. It raises the question: Was this Biden’s decision, or did it come from the Deep State to make the transition anything but smooth?
