The Real Reason DOGE is Using an Axe Instead of a Scalpel When Recommending Cuts

The DOGE labor reforms aren’t just another bureaucratic shuffle—they represent the most aggressive attempt in over a century to dismantle the entrenched administrative state. For the first time, a strategy exists to take back control from unelected agencies that have long resisted oversight.

Key Facts:

The U.S. civil service has expanded unchecked since 1883, now comprising over 450 bureaucracies.
No president, from Coolidge to Reagan to Clinton, has successfully reduced its power.
Bureaucratic inertia, union influence, and media pressure have blocked serious reform efforts.
Trump, during his presidency, made limited attempts to challenge the deep state but faced fierce resistance.
DOGE reforms aim to break a century-long cycle of political surrender to bureaucratic control.

The Rest of The Story:

For over a century, the U.S. government’s bureaucratic machine has expanded with little to no oversight from elected leaders.

The civil service, initially a small system designed to support governance, has morphed into an unaccountable powerhouse resistant to change.

Presidents and cabinet officials have tried—and failed—to rein it in.

The problem is structural.

Agencies operate with their own entrenched interests, often acting independently of presidential directives.

Unions wield enormous influence, intelligence agencies intimidate even the most powerful officials, and the media serves as an enforcer to keep any would-be reformers in check.

The system ensures that presidents govern in name only, while bureaucrats maintain the real power.

Trump, during his first term, began to expose this reality.

His administration attempted small-scale interventions, but the backlash was swift.

The deep state fought back with leaks, investigations, and open defiance.

Now, with another term on the horizon, the strategy has shifted: act fast, hit hard, and force change before the system can push back.

DOGE is leading this charge, backed by allies who recognize the stakes.

If they succeed, it will mark a historic shift in governance.

If they fail, the U.S. will continue down a path of stagnation, where elections change nothing, and bureaucrats hold the reins of power indefinitely.

I'm concerned that many people do not understand the historical and institutional context in which the DOGE labor reforms are unfolding. They look at this as if these are some random, chaotic, arbitrary, strange, and even cruel measures to impose on a devoted civil service.…

— Jeffrey A Tucker (@jeffreyatucker) February 23, 2025

Commentary:

For decades, Americans have felt that no matter who they vote for, nothing ever really changes.

That’s because the real power isn’t in the hands of elected officials—it’s embedded in a sprawling network of agencies, unions, and special interests that operate behind the scenes.

DOGE’s reforms are an attempt to break this cycle, and for the first time in modern history, there’s a real chance of success.

The deep state isn’t some conspiracy theory—it’s a practical reality.

When agencies defy elected leadership and continue policies regardless of public will, democracy is reduced to a show.

Trump’s first term exposed this, but exposure wasn’t enough.

Action is required.

That’s why DOGE’s aggressive approach is necessary.

This isn’t just another political maneuver—it’s a battle for control over the country’s future.

If the bureaucratic machine remains unchecked, the U.S. will slide further into economic stagnation and political irrelevance.

The American people have demanded change, and for once, there’s a movement willing to deliver.

The Bottom Line:

The DOGE reforms represent the most serious effort in over a century to dismantle bureaucratic control and restore real governance.

The deep state won’t go down without a fight, but this battle is long overdue.

If this effort fails, the cycle of political powerlessness will continue.

If it succeeds, it could redefine American governance for generations.