The White House should be more than a seat of power—it must be a center of coordination, accountability, and national service. At its best, it is the nervous system of a functional, balanced democracy. At its worst, it becomes a tool of personal ambition, enabling harm across the executive branch with limited recourse.
To protect our democracy, we must reshape the structure and ethos of the executive office. The next administration has the opportunity—and obligation—to establish a model that strengthens the institutions of government, empowers experienced civil servants, and ensures no president, regardless of party, can abuse the system for personal gain.
A Modern Vision for the White House
We envision a White House that reflects constitutional balance, not monarchical command. The president should be a servant leader, not an untouchable executive. That begins with real changes in structure, accountability, and staffing:
Restore Professionalism:
Political appointees must be qualified, ethical, and aligned with the public interest. No more cronyism, no more loyalty tests. Vetting must be rigorous, transparent, and swift—with congressional oversight.Protect the Civil Service:
Career civil servants are the backbone of government. They undertake long-term missions across various administrations. They must be protected from politically motivated purges and empowered with tools, training, and technology.Reinforce Checks and Balances:
Cabinet members and agency heads must answer to Congress, not just the Oval Office. Their appointments, decisions, and budgets should reflect bipartisan input and public oversight.Limit Presidential Overreach:
Executive orders, emergency declarations, and temporary appointments have become loopholes. We propose a review system requiring legislative ratification of major executive actions within a set timeframe.
Reimagining the White House Staff
The White House itself must be governed by clear principles of ethics, transparency, and structure. Here’s what that looks like:
Ethics First:
All White House staff should operate under a strengthened Office of Government Ethics, with real enforcement powers.Independent Legal Counsel:
The White House Counsel must serve the Constitution, not the president. Their duty is to ensure laws are followed—not to enable workarounds.Transparency Measures:
Daily visitor logs, financial disclosures, and real-time transparency portals should be required and enforced.Accountability for All:
From the Chief of Staff to the interns, everyone in the White House must be bound by public service ethics, not personal loyalty.
The President is Not the Government
The Constitution begins with “We the People,” not “I the President.” Our government is built on separation of powers and accountability—two concepts that recent administrations have tested and stretched to dangerous limits.
It’s time to reset the standard. The White House must operate with humility, competence, and a commitment to serving the people—not controlling them. The next president should embrace this vision not just as a limitation, but as an opportunity to lead with integrity.
The American people deserve a government they can trust again. That starts at the top.