BLOCKERS: Michael Lewis on the People Who Keep America Running

The federal government’s non-partisan civil service faces an existential threat as recent administrative shifts attempt to transform independent agencies into loyalist operations. Michael Lewis, author of *Blockers*, examines how the executive branch is being reshaped through the politicization of essential functions, such as scientific research and public safety. By analyzing the experiences of career public servants—including the forced removal of Francis Collins from the NIH and the attempted seizure of the U.S. Institute of Peace—the discussion highlights the dangers of replacing institutional expertise with ideological control. These actions erode the foundational trust necessary for government to function, effectively weaponizing public service. Ultimately, the removal of these "blockers"—individuals committed to constitutional oaths—threatens the stability of critical infrastructure, from wildfire science to public health, leaving the nation vulnerable to the consequences of a dismantled administrative state.