President-elect Trump’s 10 Point Plan to Dismantle the Deep State and Reclaim Our Republic from Washington Corruption

Trump introduced this as his plan to “dismantle the Deep State and reclaim our democracy from Washington corruption.” He outlined ten specific points:

1. He would reissue his 2020 executive order about presidential authority to remove federal employees he termed “rogue bureaucrats.”
2. He discussed overhauling national security and intelligence departments to prevent what he described as targeting of specific groups.
3. He proposed reforming FISA courts, citing concerns about warrant application processes.
4. He called for a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” focused on declassifying documents.
5. He proposed more vigorous enforcement against government leaks to media outlets.
6. He wanted Inspector General offices to be physically separated from their overseen departments.
7. He would ask Congress to create an independent auditing system for intelligence agencies.
8. He would continue moving federal agencies outside DC, mentioning potentially relocating 100,000 positions.
9. He proposed banning federal bureaucrats from taking jobs at companies they regulated.
10. He would push for a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits.

In examining the ten-point plan proposed to reform federal government operations, it’s essential to understand how each element intersects with the United States Constitution. This foundational document establishes and limits governmental power. This analysis examines each proposal through the lens of specific constitutional provisions, considering both the legal framework and potential impact on American citizens. By grounding each proposal in constitutional principles, we can better evaluate their alignment with America’s governmental structure and the delicate balance between executive authority, legislative oversight, and individual rights.

1. Executive Article Removal Authority Constitutional Basis: Article II, Section 1, Clause 1 (“Executive Power”) and Section 3 (“Take Care Clause”) The proposal aligns with the president’s constitutional duty to ensure laws are faithfully executed. However, it intersects with civil service protections developed through legislative action. This could increase executive responsiveness for citizens but raise concerns about Merit System principles that protect against political patronage.
2. Intelligence Agency Reform Constitutional Basis: Fourth Amendment and Article II, Section 3 The proposed overhaul addresses Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. For citizens, this reform would strengthen constitutional protections against potential surveillance overreach and politically motivated investigations, particularly emphasizing equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
3. FISA Court Reform Constitutional Basis: Fourth Amendment and Article III, Section 1 (Judicial Power) This directly addresses the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirements and probable cause standards. The reform would enhance judicial oversight of surveillance requests, providing citizens with more robust protections against unwarranted government intrusion while maintaining national security needs within constitutional bounds.
4. Truth and Reconciliation Commission Constitutional Basis: First Amendment (right to petition) and Article II, Section 2 (Executive Power over Classification) This commission would support the First Amendment’s implicit right to government transparency and the public’s right to petition to redress grievances. Citizens would gain access to previously classified information about government operations, supporting informed civic participation.
5. Government Leaks Enforcement Constitutional Basis: Article II, Section 3 and First Amendment This proposal balances First Amendment press freedoms with national security interests derived from Article II powers. It aims to protect citizens from unauthorized disclosures while maintaining legitimate whistleblower protections under various federal statutes.
6. Inspector General Independence Constitutional Basis: Article I, Section 8 (Necessary and Proper Clause) This structural reform would enhance the separation of powers principle implicit in the Constitution’s design. Citizens benefit from stronger independent oversight of executive agencies, supporting constitutional checks and balances.
7. Intelligence Oversight System Constitutional Basis: Fourth Amendment and Article I, Section 8 (Congressional Oversight) Creates additional safeguards for Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. Citizens gain enhanced protection against domestic surveillance overreach through independent monitoring of intelligence activities.
8. Federal Agency Relocation Constitutional Basis: Article I, Section 8 and Tenth Amendment This proposal reflects federalism principles embedded in the Tenth Amendment by distributing federal power geographically. Citizens could benefit from closer proximity to federal agencies and potentially more responsive government services.
9. Anti-Revolving Door Measures Constitutional Basis: Article I, Section 9 (Emoluments Clause principles) While not directly addressed in the Constitution, this builds on anti-corruption principles found in the Emoluments Clauses. Citizens benefit from reduced conflicts of interest in regulatory decisions and stronger ethical boundaries between public service and private gain.
10. Congressional Term Limits Constitutional Basis: Article V (Amendment Process) and Article I, Section 2-3 This would require a constitutional amendment following Article V procedures. For citizens, term limits could promote more diverse representation and reduce entrenchment of power, though it would limit voter choice in retaining experienced legislators.

These ten proposals represent a comprehensive attempt to restructure aspects of federal governance while working within constitutional parameters. Each element draws authority from specific constitutional provisions while attempting to address modern challenges in government operations. However, implementation would require careful consideration to maintain the Constitution’s fundamental principles of checks and balances, separation of powers, and protection of individual rights. The success of such reforms would depend not only on their constitutional validity but also on their practical execution in ways that enhance rather than diminish democratic governance and citizen protections. While some measures could be implemented through executive action or legislation, others – particularly the congressional term limits – would require the more challenging path of constitutional amendment. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these reforms would be measured by their ability to strengthen constitutional governance while serving the American people’s interests.