In a world filled with conspiracy theories and high-stakes politics, former President Donald Trump has come up with a central promise for his 2024 presidential campaign that’s straight out of a political thriller: taking down the mysterious “deep state.”
This supposed secret group of government workers has been a thorn in the side of conservative circles for a while, as they believe it secretly sabotages Republican efforts with its massive power. Trump’s big plan to defeat this hidden network includes a bunch of steps, like cracking down on whistleblowers and setting up independent auditors to keep an eye on US intelligence agencies.
But one proposal really grabs everyone’s attention: bringing back an executive order called “Schedule F.”
Imagine an executive order that turns tens of thousands of federal employees who make policy decisions into at-will employees. With their job protections gone, they’d be at the mercy of the president. This almost happened during Trump’s time in office, but Schedule F wasn’t fully put into action. Now, as he fights for a comeback, Trump promises to act fast and make Schedule F a reality.
Other conservatives are also backing Schedule F. Russ Vought, the brains behind the policy when he was Trump’s director of the Office of Management and Budget, says, “Schedule F is basically doctrine now on the right.” It looks like Republican candidates can’t ignore this policy – they have to use it or risk being left out.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who might go up against Trump in the 2024 election, also supports Schedule F. In his political memoir, DeSantis talks up the policy but also criticizes Trump for not making it happen sooner. Known for fighting bureaucracy, DeSantis uses his power in Florida to slash red tape and flex his authority.
Now, we’re all set for a high-stakes face-off. If Schedule F is put into action, federal employees who make policy decisions would be under the president’s control. It’s still a mystery whether Trump or any other Republican candidate will fully back this policy in their race for the White House. But one thing’s for sure: Schedule F has become a rallying cry for conservatives who think a shadowy bureaucracy is working against them.
