Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Reveals Surprising Secret About Working with President Trump

Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt reveals a surprising secret about his experience working with President Donald Trump in his new book, “You Report to Me: Accountability for the Failing Administrative State.” Bernhardt shares that unlike previous administrations, where cabinet secretaries had to navigate through White House bureaucracy to access the president, Trump gave him direct access and made it clear that Bernhardt reported to him alone. This direct access allowed Bernhardt to avoid the inactivity he experienced under President George W. Bush and ensured that those serving in the executive branch were accountable to the president. Bernhardt’s book sheds light on the importance of this relationship and challenges the notion that the bureaucracy should run the modern presidency. He argues that the government today does not align with the expectations set by the Constitution, as Congress delegates most policy-making to the bureaucracy, leaving the executive branch unaccountable. Bernhardt also addresses the challenges of managing a growing government and highlights the need for accountability and merit-based employment. He emphasizes the importance of political appointees understanding their authority and responsibilities, as well as the potential consequences of their actions. Overall, Bernhardt’s book provides insights into the need for political control of the bureaucracy and the importance of elected officials in decision-making.