Case study: 'Drain the swamp'
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump frequently talked about the need to get rid of corruption in Washington, DC, using the phrase 'drain the swamp.' However, after he became president, he did not take steps to eliminate lobbyists from his administration. Instead, he employed 281 lobbyists within two years, which meant one former lobbyist for every 14 political appointments. This number was four times higher than the lobbyists appointed by Obama during his six years in office. Trump also maintained strong connections with many active lobbyists, allowing them to influence his government.
Example: Brian Ballard, who founded the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, was recognized by Politico magazine as the most influential lobbyist in Trump's Washington. He spent several years working with the Florida state government on behalf of The Trump Organization, which includes around 500 businesses owned by Trump and contributed millions to Trump’s presidential campaigns. After Trump took office, Ballard Partners quickly acquired 100 clients in less than two years, generating over $28 million in revenue. Major US companies like Amazon, American Airlines, and General Motors have sought the firm's services. Ballard Partners exemplifies the revolving door phenomenon, as many of their lobbyists previously worked in government roles or Congress.
Most Americans share basic values that are reflected in the Constitution, which often express an anti-government sentiment. This leads to a general distrust of government agencies and departments, with many Americans feeling wary or resentful when these bodies try to direct their actions. In certain cases, like members of the National Rifle Association viewing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or citizen militias' perspectives on the Federal Bureau of Investigation, this distrust can escalate to violence. More broadly, the American focus on individual liberty and the belief in democratic oversight often shapes attitudes against bureaucratic authority. Many Americans favor free market capitalism, believing that private companies are better than public agencies and that market solutions should replace government regulations. While they commonly call for bureaucracies to operate more efficiently, often likening them to businesses, they also expect those bureaucracies to engage the public in decision-making through democratic means.