The Federal deep state consisting of a large body of tens of thousands of appointed (not elected) career civil servants (whose positions are protected by a maze of procedural red tape) is characterised by likewise deep knowledge and incentive problems (Cf: The work of F.A. Hayek J.M. Buchanan).
In normal times there is the problem that they frequently succumb to the temptation to following their own interests rather than the "public interest" - this is a problem of insufficient dedication and "public spiritedness". But, paradoxically, at times like the present, too much dedication of a particular kind can also be a problem. When it is dedication to what they think is the public interest that goes against simply doing their jobs as loyal civil servants - that is, when their widely shared notion of what is moral and good for America requires them to violate the requirements of their jobs.
This is a horrible knowledge problem - they presume hubristically to know what is in America's best interest regardless of the outcome of the presidential election. And it is an enhanced incentive problem too, because instead of simply resigning when their consciences dictates violating the norms of neutral civil service, they dig in and become an internal subversive force impeding administration policy.
In case you think this is just abstract theorising, read the chapter and verse provided by Kim Strassel in this extended op-ed.
