MAR-A-LAGO, Fla. — Former President Donald J. Trump outlined an ambitious plan aimed at what he calls the “Deep State,” presenting a series of measures he argues will restore presidential authority and reduce what he claims is corruption within the federal government. The proposal, detailed during a speech on Wednesday, is part of his 2024 campaign platform and emphasizes a broad restructuring of national security and intelligence institutions, as well as sweeping restrictions on federal bureaucrats.
The plan includes a promise to “immediately reissue” a 2020 executive order giving the president increased authority to dismiss federal employees, an effort Trump argues is necessary to remove “rogue bureaucrats” from government agencies. In addition, Trump pledged to “clean out all of the corrupt actors” within the national security and intelligence sectors, targeting what he views as entrenched figures who undermine his vision of governance.
Among the most significant changes Trump proposed is a “total reform” of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts. Trump claims these courts have become so compromised that “the judges seemingly do not care when they’re lied to in warrant applications.” The FISA courts have long been a target of conservative criticism following the approval of surveillance warrants on individuals associated with Trump’s 2016 campaign, which some Republicans argue were granted based on flawed or misleading evidence.
Trump also announced intentions to “launch a major crackdown” on government leakers, accusing them of working with the media to “weave false narratives” and undermine the government. He described government leakers as a critical component of the “Deep State,” asserting that such individuals collude with “fake news” outlets to “subvert our government and our democracy.”
Another component of Trump’s proposal involves structural changes to the roles and locations of federal oversight bodies. He pledged to make every Inspector General’s office “independent and physically separated from the departments they oversee,” which he argues will prevent inspectors from becoming “protectors of the deep state.” Additionally, he promised to revive an effort from his first administration to decentralize federal agencies by relocating parts of the federal workforce outside Washington, D.C., which he referred to as the “Washington Swamp.”
Finally, Trump outlined plans to seek restrictions on post-government employment for federal bureaucrats, aiming to ban them from joining companies they previously regulated. He described this as an effort to prevent conflicts of interest and curb the “revolving door” between government and industry. Trump also announced he would “push a constitutional amendment” to implement term limits for members of Congress, framing it as a necessary reform to curtail what he views as political entrenchment.
Trump’s proposals are likely to face significant opposition, particularly in Congress and among government watchdog organizations. Despite potential legal and political obstacles, the plan marks a continuation of Trump’s campaign promise to overhaul what he frequently describes as a “corrupt” federal establishment.