In a recent letter to the editor, Robert Kohl examined the fracturing of the Democratic Party, but he started with a sentence that contained the conjecture, “federal bureaucrats exist to execute the policies of a democratically elected president and his cabinet.” This conjecture is not the only principle behind America’s federal bureaucracy. Five counterarguments to Kohl’s assertion exist.
- Federal bureaucrats often possess specialized knowledge, technical skills, and long-term institutional
memory that elected officials lack. To suggest they should only execute directives without applying
their expertise risks inefficient, ineffective, and even harmful outcomes - The permanent civil service provides a degree of stability and continuity in government operations
that transcends political cycles. A degree of professional autonomy allows for consistent application of
laws and regulations, regardless of political winds. - Bureaucrats have a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, which may
sometimes require them to act independently of or even push back against political directives. If their
sole purpose is to execute the president’s will, what safeguards exist against potentially illegal or
unethical policies? - While elected officials represent the will of the people expressed through elections, bureaucrats also
serve the broader public interest, which may extend beyond the agenda of a particular administration.
Many government agencies have long-term missions focused on public health, environmental
protection, or social welfare. These missions require a degree of commitment that goes beyond the
political priorities of a single presidential term. - Policy implementation is rarely a straightforward process of simply following orders. It often involves
interpretation, adaptation, and problem-solving in response to unforeseen circumstances. Bureaucrats
on the ground need the flexibility to make decisions based on the specific context they encounter.
Treating them as mere executors of pre-determined policies ignores the dynamic and complex nature
of real-world implementation.
The current president’s focus on destroying this bureaucracy through executive orders and the DOGE (which ironically is yet another bureaucratic federal agency) will do more harm than good. Effective governance requires a professional civil service that brings expertise, stability, a commitment to legality, and a focus on the broader public interest to the process of policy implementation, rather than simply acting as an extension of the president’s political will.
While accountability to elected officials is extremely important, a healthy democracy also benefits from a
degree of bureaucratic independence and professional judgment.
Lisa Crumit-Hancock
Defiance
One response
I would also like to point out that Civil Servants are apolitical in their duties. They serve all the people, regardless of party affiliation. As a former Civil Servant I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution not the party in power. I served under several administration’s, both Republican and Democratic. Following presidential preference over constitutional law would only lead to chaos.