A Constitutional Blueprint for Decentralizing Federal Power and Empowering the States

Restoring the Republic is a transformative, constitutionally grounded plan to return power to the states, streamline governance, and dismantle the unchecked growth of federal bureaucracy. For decades, federal agencies have grown in scope and size, consolidating power within Washington, D.C., and creating an overextended, centralized government that often fails to address the unique needs of diverse states and communities. This proposal provides a comprehensive blueprint to reduce this dependency on federal bureaucracy by disbanding certain federal agencies and empowering state agencies to take on their responsibilities. By decentralizing power and resources, we re-establish the states as the true engines of democracy, fostering innovation and efficient governance that better serves the American people.

Under Restoring the Republic, agencies like the FBI, FDA, FAA, EPA, and IRS would transition to state-based control, transferring their functions to each state’s own regulatory and administrative bodies. Federal employees in these agencies will have the opportunity to apply to work in their state’s agency, but the responsibility of enforcement, administration, and regulation will shift to the states. This approach directly aligns with the 10th Amendment, which reserves powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government to the states. By reducing the federal footprint, we give local authorities greater control over policies that impact their communities most, strengthening state sovereignty and reinforcing the constitutional balance of power.

The plan also addresses the structure of the U.S. military by transitioning the Army and Air Force under the command of state National Guards. These forces would be proportionally distributed based on state population, making each state responsible for its own security while preserving national cohesion. This decentralization does not undermine national defense; the President retains the authority to federalize these forces during emergencies, but only with specific Congressional approval for each instance, ensuring that the deployment of military forces is always measured and constitutionally constrained. This safeguard respects both federal authority and state autonomy, allowing states to control their own military forces while maintaining the capacity for coordinated national defense in times of need.

Notably, Restoring the Republic maintains the federal status of the Navy and Marines, as they are specifically authorized as standing forces under the Constitution. Additionally, the proposal introduces a Constitutional Amendment to formalize the U.S. Space Force as a permanent federal branch, recognizing the strategic importance of space defense in the modern era. By formalizing the Space Force as a federal entity, we secure the nation’s interests in space while preventing unnecessary federal encroachment in areas best managed by the states.

At its core, Restoring the Republic is more than a policy shift; it is a return to the foundational principles of our nation. This blueprint doesn’t eliminate government but redefines it, bringing decision-making closer to the people it serves, reducing waste, and encouraging responsible governance at the state level. In placing limits on executive power and restoring state sovereignty, Restoring the Republic addresses modern challenges with time-tested, constitutional solutions, creating a leaner, more accountable, and truly representative government for all Americans.

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