One of the president's main jobs is to direct how the executive branch is run. That's an authority vested on him by the constitution. So writing EOs directing various executive branches in particular ways (and in ways that aren't contradicting federal law) is entirely within his mandate as the elected president.
What we're witnessing is the weakening (and potential removal) of an effective 4th branch of government (what some call the "deep state"). I don't see that as a bad thing, as structurally speaking, this 4th branch does not govern according to the will of the people, since they are not accountable to the people.
What boggles my mind is this -- Democrats complained for decades about how Congress was ceding its authority to these unelected officials. I grew up in a Democrat family and cheered as Bill Clinton was elected. And now Democrats, who call themselves the "party that defends democracy", are acting as the primary proponents of these unaccountable officials and agencies. Make it make sense.
Probably the other times they didn't appoint someone so connected with the dark enlightenment ideologies and that spews lies continuously on a media channel he owns. It is important the who, but it is important also the what (as in, what's he/she if appointed for).
Not being American, I can't really comment on what the democrats appointed before musk. However, I do not believe it has happened before to have someone access with write permission the payment system, to access personal sensitive data of federal workers[1], and so many other things I wouldn't even know where to start complaining about
What we're witnessing is the weakening (and potential removal) of an effective 4th branch of government (what some call the "deep state"). I don't see that as a bad thing, as structurally speaking, this 4th branch does not govern according to the will of the people, since they are not accountable to the people.
What boggles my mind is this -- Democrats complained for decades about how Congress was ceding its authority to these unelected officials. I grew up in a Democrat family and cheered as Bill Clinton was elected. And now Democrats, who call themselves the "party that defends democracy", are acting as the primary proponents of these unaccountable officials and agencies. Make it make sense.