Executive Order 13714: Strengthening the Senior Executive Service (SES) - A Synopsis
The Senior Executive Service (SES) was established in 1978 under President Jimmy Carter. The primary intent behind its formation was to attract skilled executive talent into the federal government, enhancing its efficiency and effective
The SES acts like a "shadow government." It is described as a group of bureaucrats deeply embedded within the senior leadership of all American executive agencies. They are believed to operate with a high degree of autonomy, often beyond the direct oversight of elected officials.
The SES members are often distinguished from other federal employees. They have separate pay scales, and their own unique flag, and administer their own incentives.
By the end of President Barack Obama's tenure, it's claimed that about 8,000 out of the 10,000 SES members were his appointees. This has led some to refer to them as the "Obama stay-behind army."
Executive Order 13714: This order, signed by President Barack Obama, aimed to strengthen the SES. However, its critics argue that its real purpose was to fortify the SES's claim of limited accountability, even to the President, who is technically the chief executive of the Executive Branch that they serve under. Official SES documents have even purportedly stated that the President doesn't have the authority to hire or fire them.
It's crucial to approach such claims with a balanced perspective, considering both the stated objectives of policies and the criticisms they attract.
Executive Order 13714: Strengthening the Senior Executive Service (SES) - A Synopsis
The Senior Executive Service (SES) was established in 1978 under President Jimmy Carter. The primary intent behind its formation was to attract skilled executive talent into the federal government, enhancing its efficiency and effective
The SES acts like a "shadow government." It is described as a group of bureaucrats deeply embedded within the senior leadership of all American executive agencies. They are believed to operate with a high degree of autonomy, often beyond the direct oversight of elected officials.
The SES members are often distinguished from other federal employees. They have separate pay scales, and their own unique flag, and administer their own incentives.
By the end of President Barack Obama's tenure, it's claimed that about 8,000 out of the 10,000 SES members were his appointees. This has led some to refer to them as the "Obama stay-behind army."
Executive Order 13714: This order, signed by President Barack Obama, aimed to strengthen the SES. However, its critics argue that its real purpose was to fortify the SES's claim of limited accountability, even to the President, who is technically the chief executive of the Executive Branch that they serve under. Official SES documents have even purportedly stated that the President doesn't have the authority to hire or fire them.
It's crucial to approach such claims with a balanced perspective, considering both the stated objectives of policies and the criticisms they attract.