Draining the Swamp 2.0

Trump needs to task someone with being the "point person" to receive all of these types of reports of infestation by disgruntled holdovers in agencies. Then, after investigation, let the Cabinet Secretaries know about the outcome of the research, and begin removal of those that can be immediately taken down, and - for those more imbedded, surgical excision from their current post into a make-work job, far from influence, and eventual removal for cause.

Trump cannot leave that person in place - if, for Civil Service problems, he can't just fire/eliminate the position, he needs to keep them from continuing their active resistance.

Sites like this one need to be on that Point Person's daily watchlist. Think of it as an extra-official warning of problems that may not hit the level of official complaint, or of problems that have been officially buried.

The process of Draining the Swamp is likely to be a lengthy process, as long as Federal employees are not At-Will. However, I think we can count on human frailty to do much of the job of unclogging the mire.

• Find that Point Person - if it's not possible at present, use Pence, who seems to have good instincts. There is precedence for this - Gore was used to funnel waste concerns when Clinton was promoting his initiative to streamline government.
• He is NOT the person for initial complaints. The OIG retains that function. This is for complaints that are blocked before reaching the OIG, or for those that the OIG's recommendations did not alleviate.
• He is also not for levels of problems under the supervisory level. This is designed to get the higher levels to Do Their Job, Without Undermining the Current Administration.
• If a person is identified as a embedded Clog, they are to be given a chance to RESIGN - not lateral move, unless that move is necessary to put them into a position from which they can be later eliminated. Do that when the evidence of prosecutable misconduct, or evidentiary firing for cause, are not present.
• When firing for cause is present, they should be given only TWO choices. If they are over 50, with long service in the federal government, they may apply for early retirement. If they can be prosecuted, no matter what their age, a charge should be filed. The ONLY way the prosecution doesn't go forward is if they admit to their crime(s), and accept a plea that includes:
• No further employment in government - at ANY level
• No lobbying
• No working in a job that receives government funding
• The basic nature of their crime will be noted in HR. HR will be required to warn potential employers of that nature - irregularities with handling funds, abuse of perks, touchy-feely with subordinates/co-workers, etc.
• And - most importantly - return of all of THEIR contributions to pension. They may invest them, tax-free, in an IRA, but they will NEVER be eligible for a government pension of ANY kind.

This is a priority. Without this action, the Swamp will simply go into hibernation, waiting for the next election.

Point Person needs to be, temperamentally, the Anti-Trump - methodical, unimpassioned, reasoned and thorough. Pence would be good. There are others, as well.

This cannot wait until the next election.

UPDATE: I noticed the official charter on the website linked above. Failure to follow the charter, taken as a pattern of behavior, certainly seems to be a justifiable reason to fire the head of the agency.

VOA Charter

The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of listeners. These principles will therefore govern Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts:

  

1. VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive.

  

2. VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.

3. VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies.

  

Gerald R. Ford

President of the United States of America

Signed July 12, 1976

Public Law 94-350

Note that last - this is LAW, not policy. Violations of this, documented, are valid reasons for removing people from their posts - even without evidence of other crimes. Take out the head quickly using this, then, follow up with the for-cause firings.