Executive Power and Civil Service Reform with Adam White and Clark Kelso

Host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Academy Fellow and McGeorge School of Law Professor Clark Kelso and American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Adam White about why public agencies struggle and what the executive branch does in response. They discuss how checks and balances slow action and make errors hard to undo, while polarization and congressional dysfunction push presidents toward unilateral action, creating separation-of-powers conflicts and court intervention. The conversation centers on Schedule F and fears it could expand political appointments and erode civil service protections. They conclude trust is rebuilt through tangible, non-rhetorical improvements, suggesting a public-safety focus like FAA modernization. 01:14 Why Agencies Fail 03:25 Checks Balances and Speed 05:22 Congress Gridlock Executive Action 09:44 Unitary Executive and Independence 12:47 Courts Guardrails and Chevron 15:44 Real World Impacts and Trust 19:30 Reforming Bureaucracy and DOGE 23:45 Schedule F Debate 29:31 Rebuilding Trust and Optimism Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | Music promoted by

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Executive Power and Civil Service Reform with Adam White and Clark Kelso is an episode from Management Matters Podcast by National Academy of Public Administration.

This episode is 34:48 long.

This episode was published on May 4, 2026.

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