Trump's War on the Civil Service and the Democratic Party's Dilemma
This article analyzes Donald Trump's attacks on the federal civil service, arguing that they undermine the government's ability to provide public services and fulfill its functions, while also harming individual civil servants. The author contends that the Democratic Party, in response, has prioritized unity with labor unions over the principle that public institutions should prioritize the needs of their users above those of their workforce or ideological projects. Using education as an example, the author argues that excessive reliance on teachers' unions has led to a decline in Democrats' trustworthiness on education issues. The article emphasizes that effective governance requires a degree of intra-coalition tension, urging Democrats to strike a balance between maintaining coalition unity and pursuing the public good.