To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Ben Wittes: Who Is The Administrator of DOGE?
20 snips
Oct 30, 2025 Ben Wittes, Editor-in-chief of Lawfare, dives into the alarming erosion of congressional power under Trump. He discusses the former president's $230 million claim against taxpayers and the ethical turmoil within the Justice Department. Wittes also highlights judges' increasing skepticism toward government statements and the intriguing story behind his 'Administrator of Doge' hat, which ties into a unique night of Ukrainian lounge music fundraising.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Doge Hat Origin
- Ben Wittes describes Lawfare printing hats reading “Who Is The Administrator Of Doge?” inspired by Anna Bauer’s reporting.
- The story began with Anna’s obsessive reporting and became a viral, humorous Lawfare moment.
Civil Service Versus Spoils System
- Ben Wittes links Trump’s push to replace the civil service with a Jacksonian spoils approach to executive power.
- He argues civil-service protections created after the Civil War limit personalist presidential control.
Congressional Power Depends On Will
- Wittes notes that Congress holds vast power but often fails to exercise it, enabling executive overreach.
- He frames the core problem as political psychology: representatives avoid using the power they were elected to wield.