Is the Deep State Controlling America?

This article compiles historical data, political observations, and urban legends. Some content comes from reader submissions and online discussions. The article does not represent absolute facts but provides a multi-perspective space for readers to judge for themselves.

How Does the 'Hidden Power' Influence Global Politics?

Former US President Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned the 'Deep State' during his campaigns, describing it as a powerful hidden organization influencing US decision-making, elections, and the media. His remarks ignited a public debate, prompting a re-examination of the US government's internal power structure and influence.

Deep State: Conspiracy Theory or Reality?

The 'Deep State' refers to an invisible power network composed of government bureaucrats, public servants, military-industrial enterprises, financial conglomerates, and intelligence agencies, whose influence extends across all sectors of society.

This concept is not unique to Trump; similar urban legends have circulated in Turkey since the 20th century, alleging collusion between the government, military, intelligence agencies, and even criminal organizations. A car accident in 1996 revealed connections between high-ranking politicians and organized crime, providing evidence that the 'Deep State' might not be just a conspiracy theory but a tangible phenomenon.

The Deep State in America: From History to Modern Influence

Since the 18th century, rumors about 'secret societies controlling the government' have persisted in the US, with organizations like the Illuminati and Freemasonry accused of manipulating politics from behind the scenes. In the 20th century, these speculations shifted toward intelligence agencies such as the CIA and FBI, with claims that they wield unchecked power beyond presidential oversight.

Several major historical events are often cited as evidence of the Deep State's existence:

1. In 1961, President Eisenhower warned in his farewell address that the military-industrial complex had become too influential, posing a threat to democratic governance.
2. In 2013, Edward Snowden exposed the US government's PRISM program, revealing extensive mass surveillance conducted by intelligence agencies, sometimes exceeding constitutional limits.

Wall Street Giants and Their Connection to the Deep State

Recent studies suggest that financial institutions have amassed an unparalleled level of influence over US politics and economic policies. The three largest asset management firms—Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street—collectively control trillions of dollars in global assets.

For example:

1. Apple's top three shareholders are Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street.
2. Microsoft's leading investors are the same three firms.
3. Amazon's corporate structure reveals a similar concentration of capital ownership.

This raises the question: Are these corporations truly independent, or are they under the control of a few powerful financial entities? If these asset managers can influence corporate decisions and even government policies, do they constitute part of the Deep State?

Trump’s Counterattack: Deep State vs. Nepotism

While Trump has vowed to 'dismantle the Deep State,' critics argue that he built his own 'nepotistic government.' Detractors claim that many of Trump's appointees lacked political experience and were chosen due to their personal ties to him.

Notable appointments include:

1. Ivanka Trump: Appointed as a senior White House adviser despite her background in the fashion industry.
2. Rex Tillerson: A former ExxonMobil CEO with no government experience, appointed as Secretary of State with close ties to Russia.
3. Elon Musk: In 2024, Trump proposed making Musk a 'government efficiency advisor,' sparking concerns that Musk could leverage this role for private gain.

Trump's '10 Rules' to Weaken the Deep State

Trump introduced several measures aimed at reducing bureaucratic control:

1. Granting the president greater authority to dismiss federal officials.
2. Conducting a full review of intelligence agencies to eliminate 'corrupt elements.'
3. Restricting the power of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA).
4. Establishing a 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission' to declassify government secrets.
5. Strengthening media oversight to combat 'fake news.'
6. Making oversight agencies independent from the executive branch to prevent bureaucratic corruption.
7. Creating an independent audit body to monitor intelligence agencies.
8. Relocating some federal agencies outside Washington to reduce centralized political influence.
9. Banning former federal officials from entering private corporations post-resignation.
10. Implementing term limits for Congress members.

Conclusion

Historians argue that America’s power structure has long been shaped by financial elites, the military-industrial complex, and intelligence agencies. Trump's rhetoric has deepened public distrust in government, but whether he can truly dismantle this system or is merely using it to consolidate his own power remains uncertain.

Perhaps the more pressing question is: Does the US presidency hold too much power? If executive authority expands to the point of eliminating opposition, does it risk becoming another form of authoritarianism? This is a concern not only for the US but for all democratic nations worldwide.