Senator Eric Schmitt on 'Faceless Bureaucrats' and Reining in the Administrative State

The 'Fourth Branch' of Government

• 🏛️ Senator Eric Schmitt argues that the administrative state, often referred to as the 'fourth branch of government,' is not found in the Constitution and was never intended by the founders.
• 💡 The founders envisioned a government of 'we the people,' not 'they the experts,' and these unelected bureaucrats wield excessive influence over citizens' lives.

Historical Roots of the Administrative State

• 📜 The expansion of the administrative state began with President Woodrow Wilson about a hundred years ago and was significantly amplified by FDR's New Deal, leading to the creation of numerous alphabet agencies.
• ⚖️ A key court case from 90 years ago, Humphrey's Executor, limited the president's control over his own administration, a precedent the Supreme Court may now overturn.

Accountability and Presidential Authority

• 🔑 The core principle of a constitutional republic is accountability, which is lacking in the administrative state.
• 🎯 Unlike elected officials who can be voted out, bureaucrats are accountable to no one, which is antithetical to the design of American government.
• 👨‍💼 The president, as the elected head of the executive branch, should have the authority to hire and fire individuals within his administration, especially when there are policy disagreements.

Impact on the Economy and Free Markets

• 📉 Agencies like the FTC and SEC have caused significant damage to the economy by hindering free markets, slowing job creation, and impeding economic growth.
• 🌾 The administrative state, driven by a managerial class, implements policies that people would not vote for directly, such as circumventing legislative action through regulations.
• 🚫 Senator Schmitt advocates for reigning in these agencies and rogue bureaucrats to foster economic growth and create more jobs.