Mark Moyar, a former Trump appointee, believes President Donald Trump’s next presidency hinges on addressing the deep-rooted problems within the federal bureaucracy. In his book Masters of Corruption, Moyar details how career bureaucrats at USAID retaliated against him after he exposed corruption, blocking his work and preventing him from achieving the reforms Trump wanted.
Moyar’s account provides insight into how many federal employees actively resisted Trump’s policies. These bureaucrats, often referred to as the “Resistance,” used their positions to create delays and leak damaging information to the media, making it difficult for the administration to accomplish its goals. Moyar himself was denied a security clearance, which was critical for his role, simply because he challenged the status quo.
Project 2025, a proposal that aims to downsize the federal government by removing employees who are obstructing reform efforts, is seen as a necessary step for Trump to avoid the issues of his first term. While Trump has not fully embraced the plan, Moyar argues that a massive reduction in federal employees is essential for any conservative administration to be effective.
Elon Musk, whom Trump has mentioned as a possible choice to lead a government audit, could play a pivotal role in this effort. Musk recently discussed the possibility of reducing the size of the federal government by a significant amount, stating that a cut of “more than 5%” is needed. Moyar’s experience shows that without such drastic measures, bureaucrats will continue to thwart conservative policies.
Moyar’s story is a stark reminder that reforming the federal government requires more than just electing the right people. It also requires tackling the entrenched bureaucratic resistance that works to protect its own interests, often at the expense of the American people.
