Washington | Arab Canada News

After spending years promoting the theory of a "deep state" within U.S. government institutions, President Donald Trump – in his second term – is facing increasing pressure from his supporters and hardliners in the Republican Party to take tangible steps to uncover and restructure these alleged networks, which are believed to have previously sought to undermine his presidency.

According to an Associated Press report, this pressure comes from Trump's political base, as well as a number of congressional members and media conservatives, who believe the time has come to implement a "broad administrative purge" within federal agencies, and to impose political control over bureaucracies thought to have acted as a "state within a state."

At the forefront of these agencies are the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), two institutions that Trump has long viewed as obstacles to implementing his agenda, especially following investigations into him regarding Russian interference in the 2016 elections and his behavior during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.

Pressure to Expand Presidential Powers

The report indicates that some of Trump's advisors are already considering reactivating "Executive Order 13957," which Trump signed late in his first term and which granted the president greater authority to remove federal employees classified under the "protected civil service" category. The order was later rescinded by the Biden administration.

If these actions are implemented, they could pave the way for the removal of hundreds of bureaucratic employees from their positions and replacing them with politically loyal individuals, which opponents view as a direct threat to the independence of state institutions and a "dangerous politicization" of the public administration.

White House: No Direct Comment

So far, no official comment has been issued by the Trump administration regarding these moves, but informed sources indicated that the president is considering "several options" to restructure the federal government with the aim of "restoring the power of the people," according to expressions used during his campaign.

Background: What is the "Deep State" in the American Context?

The term "deep state" in American politics is used to describe an informal network of bureaucrats and security officials who are believed to have unaccountable influence and work against the agenda of the elected president, especially if he is outside the "traditional establishment." This concept has become popular among Trump's supporters, particularly following his repeated confrontations with intelligence agencies and the Department of Justice during his first term.

However, many analysts argue that talk of a "deep state" is merely a political tool used to justify failures or attack independent centers of power within the state.

Challenge of the Next Phase

As Trump seeks to fulfill his promises to reshape the federal government "from within," his attempts are expected to face judicial and institutional resistance, as well as a fierce battle within a deeply divided American public over the future of democracy in the country.