In a time when conspiracy theories about the so-called Deep State dominate political discourse, it’s easy to dismiss them as exaggerated or unfounded. However, with the creation of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the lines between political maneuvering and the uncovering of covert networks within the government may be blurrier than ever before. What appears to be a typical bureaucratic initiative aimed at reducing inefficiencies and cutting costs could very well be the latest strategy in Trump’s long-standing obsession with dismantling the Deep State—an entity that is widely discussed but rarely defined.