The Only "Deep State" Is the One Trump Created

Intrepid Republican sleuths finally found the Deep State operatives who have been working to bring down President Trump by creating the appearance of an improper, politically motivated quid pro quo in his dealings with Ukraine. Those operatives are a rogue US ambassador and a lawyer operating in the shadows entirely outside the normal workings of government.

I can even tell you their names: Gordon Sondland and Rudy Giuliani.

This, at least, is the upshot of the defense House Republicans seem to be offering at the public impeachment hearings:

Republicans would portray figures like Mr. Giuliani as working in his own interests, not at Mr. Trump’s behest; and…they would argue that Mr. Sondland, a political megadonor with little diplomatic experience, was a braggart who exaggerated his relationship with Mr. Trump and essentially freelanced on his behalf.

See what I mean? It’s the Deep State in action, operating to promote their own nefarious interests rather than working on behalf of the president.

Except, of course, that if this is anyone’s Deep State, it’s Donald Trump’s Deep State.

Read the rest at The Bulwark.