In a recent piece by Mark Moyar, a former Trump appointee, the need for President Donald Trump to eliminate entrenched bureaucrats has become even clearer. Moyar, who served at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), explained how bureaucratic sabotage hindered Trump’s ability to implement his policies during his first term. Moyar’s book, Masters of Corruption, highlights how federal employees undermined his whistleblowing efforts on corruption within USAID.

Moyar’s story reflects the larger issues Trump’s team faced with federal employees, who organized to thwart Trump’s agenda. These bureaucrats delayed policies, leaked damaging information, and coordinated efforts to slow down the administration. The so-called “Resistance” within federal agencies was more than just ideological disagreement; it was a coordinated effort to disrupt governance. Moyar, like many Trump appointees, was backstabbed and blocked from his work, ultimately being ousted after his security clearance was held up.

The Trump campaign’s Project 2025 seeks to address this issue by reshaping the federal workforce with individuals committed to the president’s agenda. While Trump has distanced himself from the initiative, Moyar argues that it is essential for his next term. Elon Musk, who Trump has proposed to lead a comprehensive audit of the federal government, is seen as crucial to this effort. Musk has also emphasized the need for significant cuts to government size and regulations.

Moyar’s experience demonstrates why mass firings of bureaucrats who block conservative governance are necessary. He argues that Trump needs to prove to potential appointees that they will be supported in their efforts to reform the government. If Trump cannot protect his own people from internal sabotage, the goals of the administration will be impossible to achieve. As Musk and Trump outline their plans for a leaner government, Moyar’s story highlights the deep challenges ahead in draining the bureaucratic swamp.