Trump Nominates Jan. 6 'Bystander' to Produce Better Job Numbers

In a functioning government, the inept are put in places where they can do limited damage. In the Trump administration, they're selected for their willingness to break key institutions.

Aug 17, 2025

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*Capitol police try to hold back rioters outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. | Alex Kent for the Tennessee Lookout*

Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty. - Hannah Arendt,…

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A guest post by

Don Moynihan

Professor of Public Policy, Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. Immigrant. Researches and teaches about government, administrative burdens, and politicization.