US President-elect Donald Trump has announced an ambitious plan aimed at dismantling the “deep state” through sweeping reforms across the U.S. federal bureaucracy, national security, and intelligence sectors. In a move that underscores his commitment to restoring executive power, Trump’s “Agenda47” proposes a 10-point strategy designed to weed out corruption and restructure government agencies. With Republicans securing majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, Trump is poised to wield substantial legislative power to enact his proposed changes.
Trump’s plan, set to launch on January 20, 2025, as he assumes office, is rooted in a fierce drive to “drain the swamp.” His agenda seeks to break down what he sees as a deeply entrenched bureaucracy, particularly within national security and intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI. Trump’s critics dismiss his notion of a Deep State as a conspiracy theory, but his base has long shared his view that Washington’s “establishment” and elite groups prioritise their own interests, thwarting the goals of elected officials and undermining democratic processes.
Trump’s Fight against the Deep State: A 10-Point Agenda
1. Reissuing the 2020 Executive Order – Reviving “Schedule F”
Trump’s Agenda47 would reinstate an executive order, originally issued in 2020 but rescinded by President Biden, creating “Schedule F” classification for federal employees. This designation would make thousands of government jobs “at-will,” allowing swift removal of staffers deemed to be underperforming or resistant to executive policy. Trump’s goal here is clear: ensure loyalty within federal agencies by having the power to swiftly remove “rogue bureaucrats” who may oppose the White House’s agenda.
2. Purging Intelligence Agencies of Alleged Corrupt Actors
Trump’s plan includes sweeping reforms across national security and intelligence sectors, specifically targeting entities such as the FBI, CIA, and NSA. According to Trump, these institutions have amassed unchecked power and operate in ways that contradict the priorities of the elected administration. This phase of the plan aims to eliminate those actors within intelligence who, Trump claims, undermine his authority, turning agencies into partisan strongholds that thwart his policies and act autonomously.
3. Overhauling the FISA Courts
Trump has long criticised the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) courts, particularly after FISA warrant abuses were exposed. He claims that the court is too often misled by intelligence agencies, allowing unwarranted surveillance. Trump’s agenda includes a reform to ensure greater oversight and transparency in how warrants are granted, which he believes would curb misuse and limit political targeting.
4. Establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission
To address what he sees as historical abuses of power, Trump intends to create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This body would review, declassify, and release documentation on government spying, censorship, and intelligence interference in politics. The goal is to bring past wrongdoings to light, with Trump suggesting that transparency could heal divisions and restore trust in government operations by exposing misconduct.
5. Cracking Down on Leaks
In response to numerous leaks that plagued his previous administration, Trump is pledging to enforce strict measures on government employees who share classified or sensitive information with the press. He argues that leaks are often orchestrated by those within the Deep State to sabotage elected leaders and shape public perception. His plan would criminally charge those caught leaking information, which he sees as necessary to prevent manipulation by rogue actors.
6. Separating Inspector General Offices from Departments
Trump proposes relocating Inspector General offices physically and structurally outside the agencies they monitor. This change aims to prevent the Deep State from concealing corruption by distancing those who conduct internal reviews from the people and structures they oversee. By making inspectors more independent, Trump hopes to create a stronger, less biased accountability system that can resist internal influence and expose corruption transparently.
7. Establishing Independent Audits for Intelligence Agencies
Trump seeks to create a standing independent auditing system specifically for intelligence agencies, a move that would provide ongoing oversight. This would involve continuous monitoring to prevent domestic spying and misuse of government resources for disinformation campaigns. Trump argues that this measure will help curb espionage on citizens and provide a check on intelligence agencies that he believes have been operating with unchecked autonomy.
8. Decentralising the Federal Bureaucracy
Another major component of Trump’s Deep State agenda involves decentralising the federal bureaucracy by relocating jobs away from Washington, D.C. He has advocated for shifting entire agencies out of the nation’s capital, which he claims has become a stronghold for Deep State activity. The move would involve transferring up to 100,000 federal jobs to other parts of the U.S., weakening the concentrated power structure of Washington and distributing government influence across states.
9. Closing the Revolving Door Between Bureaucrats and Private Companies
To address conflicts of interest within federal agencies, Trump plans to ban bureaucrats from transitioning into roles at companies they formerly regulated. He argues that this “revolving door” has allowed major corporations, especially in industries like Big Pharma, to influence regulations and policies to their benefit. By preventing former officials from moving into private sector jobs in industries they regulated, Trump aims to curtail corporate influence on policy.
10. Imposing Congressional Term Limits
Trump has also proposed a constitutional amendment for term limits in Congress, an effort to prevent lawmakers from building lifelong careers in government. He claims that long-serving politicians, whom he describes as “career politicians,” contribute to a stagnant system that prioritises self-preservation over public service. Trump believes term limits would inject fresh perspectives into Congress, reduce cronyism, and allow new leaders to reshape policy without entrenched allegiances.
To further curb the power of career politicians, Trump has called for a constitutional amendment to establish term limits for members of Congress. He argues that entrenched politicians contribute to a stagnant and self-preserving political culture that impedes progress and stifles fresh perspectives. According to Trump’s campaign, re-election rates for members of Congress remain high, perpetuating a cycle of what he describes as ineffective governance.
In addition, Trump has announced a crackdown on government leaks, pledging to enforce criminal penalties on federal employees who collaborate with media to disseminate classified or misleading information. His agenda also includes reforms to limit inspector generals’ oversight to prevent collusion between oversight offices and the departments they are meant to hold accountable.
At a September campaign rally, Trump reiterated his commitment to reshaping federal bureaucracy, even proposing the elimination of entire departments, such as the Department of Education, to reduce government overreach. By transferring authority over educational standards and curricula to the states, he aims to curb federal influence in what he considers to be an arena better governed by local entities.
