To Whom It May Concern,
During the middle of his first term, the Obama administration inflated the number of the Senior Executive Service (SES) to levels never seen before. These bureaucrats serve as intermediaries between the political appointees and the regular civil servants (GS employees). Their salary is much higher than any other federal employee, and even a Congressperson.
At the heart of the resistance against President Trump during the 2017 - 2020 term were the SESs. Hence, President Trump should:
1 - Reduce the number of SESs to levels pre-2008.
2 - Grant more presidential powers to move around SESs not only within an agency but also between the agencies. So, for example, if an SES at DOD retires, get an SES from DHS to fill the vacancy, if needed or eliminate the position altogether. And, stop the practice of posting vacancies as soon as an SES retires!
3 - Prohibit the use of the SES flag: the only flags behind a federal employee portrait should be the American flag and the agency’s flag.
4 - Re-evaluate the benefits and salary package of SESs.
5 - Re-examine the protections given to this group of employees. Make it easier to fire and/or to demote them.
6 - Evaluate to see if a GS-14/15 can do the duties of the SES. Does the position really need an SES to be in charge?
7 - Consolidate and reorganize the federal bureaucracy with the purpose of serving their customers (the American public, veterans, farmers, etc.) instead of the current trend of opening a new component/sub-component every time a new challenge or idea comes up.
With these changes, future presidents will be able to easily implement their agenda and the will of the People they serve.
Respectfully,
SMR