deep state

noun

plural deep states

: an alleged secret network of especially nonelected government officials and sometimes private entities (as in the financial services and defense industries) operating extralegally to influence and enact government policy

The power of the deep state comes from experience, knowledge, relationships, insight, craft, special skills, traditions, and shared values. Together, these purported attributes make nameless bureaucrats into a supergovernment that is accountable to no one. That is a scary prospect.

—David Rothkopf

What the archbishop suspected was a crime stage-managed by Turkey's "deep state"—an opaque underworld where powerful elements within the state, especially the military and security services, act in conjunction with violent extremist groups … as well as the apolitical criminal underworld, to undertake special, illegal operations in the political interest of the country's ruling elite.

—John Eibner

Examples of deep state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a sentiment deeper, wider, and more complex than issues of authoritarian menaces, deep states, and election integrity. —Penny Abeywardena, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

And that’s precisely why his institutionalizing of a deep state is such a crucial and alarming political project. —Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

The deepest of deep states, as traditionally understood, encompass more than just federal workforces. —Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

The United States does not have a deep state in large part because the U.S. bureaucracy is notoriously weak. —Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Now, a quarter of Americans appear to believe the riot was instigated by some nebulous deep state, and large majorities of Republicans are sympathetic to the rioters. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2024

Another Tucker interview with Mike Benz explained what the Deep State has been doing the past few years and also went back to 1947 to paint a vivid picture of the origins of today’s deep state. —Baltimore Sun Media, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2024

Instead, Carlson posed increasingly esoteric questions — including whether any world leader could be a true Christian — and at times appeared to goad Putin into alleging a U.S. deep state and promote other conspiracy theories. —Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024

Many of the January 6 Capitol rioters were inspired by QAnon conspiracy theories that claimed a deep state was working to undermine President Trump and betray the electorate. —Kathryn Olmsted, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

translation of Turkish derin devlet

First Known Use

1997, in the meaning defined above