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
David RothkopfWhat 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
John EibnerExamples of deep state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kash Patel vows to abolish the ‘deep state’; Trump’s FBI pick thrills MAGA base
Robby Soave and Steven Olikara weigh in on Donald Trump’s nominee to spearhead the FBI, Kash Patel.
—The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024
Patel listed you in one of his books as members of the executive branch deep state, and one of the 60 corrupt actors of the first order.
—ABC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Read: Trump’s ‘deep state’ revenge An important line of defense against this possibility still exists, and that is Congress.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2024
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
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The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024
Patel listed you in one of his books as members of the executive branch deep state, and one of the 60 corrupt actors of the first order.
—ABC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Read: Trump’s ‘deep state’ revenge An important line of defense against this possibility still exists, and that is Congress.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2024
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
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Cite this Entry
“Deep state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deep%20state. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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