Part of Donald Trump’s appeal, both within the United States and internationally, lies in his image as an outsider—a maverick who acts independently, beholden to no one. This image of self-governance was meticulously crafted and marketed during his campaign, appealing to voters who wanted someone unbound by Washington’s norms. But now, with Trump in power, his administration is revealing itself to be very much like its predecessors, though with a new coat of red paint.

Social media has been rife with speculation over Trump’s cabinet selections, and his supporters have rallied on platforms like Twitter to voice their opposition to “deep state” figures, such as former........

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