Decentralizing the federal government should be a priority for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). One suggested plan from Donald Trump for his second term is to move around 100,000 federal employees out of Washington, D. C. to places with “patriots who love America. ” This move is expected to decrease costs and help make federal agencies less political. There are also security and fairness reasons for relocating these agencies across the U. S.
The author shares his personal experience regarding the proposal by Senator Robert Byrd in the 1990s to move CIA employees to West Virginia. He and his wife, who were CIA employees, were excited about the potential move since housing in the DC area was expensive, and they disliked the local culture and high taxes. However, the plan was blocked by the Washington establishment. The author believes moving federal agencies to areas with more affordable housing is a major benefit, as many federal employees might find suitable locations to live and work.
The author argues that the current practice of locating federal agencies near the White House is outdated due to modern communication methods. Many federal employees are not frequently in contact with Congress or the White House, meaning they could perform their tasks effectively in less congested, more affordable areas.
Additionally, the high tax revenues and benefits that D. C. , Maryland, and Virginia gain from federal salaries and expenditures create an imbalance. With technological advancements, it's unnecessary for these agencies to remain concentrated in one region; sharing federal resources across the country would allow for better distribution of jobs and spending.
The author highlights potential benefits of specific agency relocations, such as moving the Agriculture Department to a farming state to improve interactions with farmers, or relocating the Transportation and Interior Departments to more relevant states. Various federal entities, including the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency, could also benefit from being situated closer to the people they serve.
The author emphasizes two key reasons for this decentralization: security and reducing political influence. Keeping numerous federal agencies in Washington could pose risks due to potential attacks. Spreading these agencies out would make it more difficult for adversaries to target them. Furthermore, moving the agencies could help reduce resistance to presidential control caused by entrenched bureaucrats and a “deep state” culture in D. C.
Relocating federal offices could also encourage a new workforce more dedicated to serving the public. The previous move of the Bureau of Land Management showed that not all employees would agree to move, allowing for potential downsizing.
Decentralizing should be a major goal for government efficiency, even though established bureaucrats in D. C. may resist this change. Only a strong administration could effectively accomplish this transition.
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