In March of last year, Donald Trump launched his third presidential campaign, calling the 2024 election against incumbent President Joe Biden “the final battle.” At a rally in Waco, Texas, Trump framed the contest as a pivotal moment, declaring that it would determine whether “the deep state” or his campaign prevails.
The term “deep state” is commonly used by foreign policy experts and political scientists to describe influential individuals and organizations that wield significant power over political leaders and civil society.
While the concept is often associated with developing countries like Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey—where military leaders and intelligence agencies exert substantial control—the term is increasingly used in broader political discussions.
What Is Deep State?
The concept of the “deep state” originates from a conspiracy theory suggesting that a secret network within the U.S. federal government, particularly among FBI and CIA officials, works with influential figures in finance and business to exert power behind the scenes.
Initially, the term “deep state” was associated with Turkey in the 1990s, referring to a covert group with significant influence. However, it gained prominence in the U.S. during the Obama administration and became widely discussed during Donald Trump’s presidency. Trump claimed that this “deep state” was obstructing his administration’s efforts.
Under Obama, the debate focused on drone strikes and the Snowden revelations in 2013, which exposed extensive government surveillance. Snowden himself suggested in 2014 that a “deep state” was indeed real, based on his experience.
Surveys from 2017 and 2018 show that about 50% of Americans believe in the existence of a deep state in the U.S.
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Trump Pledges to ‘Dismantle the Deep State’
Former President Donald Trump has long been fixated on the idea of a “deep state,” a theory he began promoting when Special Counsel Robert Mueller launched an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump frequently used this term to criticize leakers and whistleblowers from the U.S. intelligence community during his presidency.
Many of the January 6 Capitol rioters were influenced by QAnon conspiracy theories, which claimed that a deep state was working to undermine Trump and mislead voters. Trump has vowed to “dismantle the deep state” if re-elected, promising to remove protections for government employees.
Recently, following an attempted assassination on Trump, social media was flooded with conspiracy theories, including claims that the attack was staged. Some accounts known for spreading misinformation suggested that the assassination was ordered by the CIA and implicated figures like Mike Pence, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama.
One viral post, which has garnered over 6.9 million views, falsely claimed that Trump is fighting a secret battle against a group of elite, satanic pedophiles.
Brad Parscale, Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, weighed in on the situation, tweeting, “This is either one of the worst failures in Secret Service history or a deep state plot. There’s no way this should have ever happened.”
Biden and Deep State
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, recently claimed that the media and the “deep state” in the US have been hiding President Biden’s true mental state from the public. She criticized those who tried to portray Biden as mentally fit, especially after his recent gaffe where he mistakenly addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin.”
Russian state media has fueled conspiracy theories, suggesting that the Federal Security Service should protect Donald Trump from alleged threats. Some Russian propagandists accuse both the Democrats and Ukrainians of plotting to harm Trump. Former New York Times correspondent John Varoli even claimed on Solovyov Live that the Democrats are behind a supposed assassination attempt on Trump.
Adding to the drama, a Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Jim Carrey poked fun at Biden, suggesting he would rather use violence against his opponents. Ponomar, a Russian commentator, claimed Biden and the “deep state” are pushing the US towards chaos. Varoli supported this view, calling Biden a “terrorist” and insinuating that US intelligence services might be involved in a plot against Trump.
As Biden’s ability to serve a second term comes under scrutiny, especially following a recent debate with Trump, both Republicans and some Democrats are calling for him to step down from the presidential race.
Is the Deep State Controlling the US?
Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama recently discussed his views on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” suggesting that President Biden is not fully in control of the U.S. government.
Tuberville claimed that Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and former President Barack Obama, along with key figures such as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are actually running the show. He argued that Schumer and Pelosi have been making major decisions during the first two years of Biden’s presidency.
Tuberville hopes that Americans will recognize this alleged deep state influence and push for a change in leadership. He believes that removing Democrats from power and electing Trump and other Republicans could restore control to the people he supports.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. What is the “deep state”?
Ans. The “deep state” refers to a supposed secret network within the U.S. government, including FBI and CIA officials, believed to exert hidden influence over political and societal decisions.
Q.2. How did the term “deep state” become prominent in U.S. politics?
Ans. The term gained traction during the Obama administration and was notably amplified during Trump’s presidency, who used it to criticize alleged obstruction by parts of the government.
Q.3. What are some recent claims about the “deep state”?
Ans. Recent claims include suggestions that the “deep state” is working against Trump, with some conspiracy theories even alleging involvement in an attempted assassination and other high-profile incidents.
Q.4. What did Maria Zakharova say about the “deep state”?
Ans. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed that the U.S. media and “deep state” are concealing President Biden’s true mental state from the public.
Q.5. How does Senator Tommy Tuberville view the “deep state”?
Ans. Senator Tommy Tuberville believes that Democratic leaders and key figures are controlling the U.S. government behind the scenes, rather than President Biden, and calls for political change.