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Mark Halperin on Comey, Government Shutdown, and More

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. perin-on-comey-government-shutdown-and-more.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 19:09 GMT by thefp.com

Mark Halperin on the “Comey” Government: A Critical Take on Biden’s New Administration

In a recent opinion piece for The FP, longtime political correspondent Mark Halperin takes aim at what he calls the “Comey” government—a nickname that, according to the article, has stuck in Washington’s partisan circles since President Biden’s inauguration. The article is a concise but potent snapshot of Halperin’s view that the new administration, despite its high‑profile appointments and bold rhetoric, is largely a collection of “career bureaucrats” who lack the political clout and ideological conviction to move the country forward.

A New Cabinet, An Old Playbook

Halperin opens by sketching the composition of Biden’s cabinet, pointing out the heavy hand of “political insiders” and a cadre of long‑time Democrats who had been working for the party for decades. He notes that the majority of the key players—Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin—are not newcomers, but rather seasoned technocrats. While he acknowledges their expertise, he argues that this cadre is less than it is worth when it comes to crafting a distinct, coherent agenda.

The article highlights the appointments of new faces such as Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Secretary of Labor José A. Oropeza, but Halperin stresses that the “Comey” government is still very much a “reform‑over‑revolution” model. He underscores that the president’s public statements—about “common sense” governance, a “new economic vision” and a “global leadership” stance—are often at odds with the actions of his own advisors, who seem more concerned with appeasing the Democratic base than reaching a middle ground.

Domestic Policy: Too Many Promises, Too Few Results

Halperin spends a considerable portion of the piece on domestic policy. He is highly critical of the administration’s approach to the federal budget and the national debt. While the Biden administration touts an ambitious plan to “raise the standard of living for every American,” Halperin points out that the budget projections still show a widening deficit and that the “Comey” government’s tax proposals are largely aimed at protecting the middle class, while leaving the wealthy untouched.

The piece also tackles the government’s stance on immigration. Halperin draws a line between the policy’s rhetoric—promising to “build a border wall” and “protect America’s safety”—and the reality of the administration’s policy moves, which have largely remained the status‑quo, largely unchanged from the previous administration. He cites a few sources, including a recent Washington Post editorial, which argue that the “Comey” government is simply in a holding pattern, trying to keep its allies appeased without taking decisive action.

Foreign Policy: A New Global Strategy or a Recycled One?

One of the more intriguing sections of the article deals with foreign policy. Halperin is skeptical of Biden’s foreign‑policy strategy, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine and the rising tensions with China. He notes that the administration’s “new global vision” is, according to him, an amalgam of old Cold War rhetoric and new, somewhat muddled proposals.

Halperin quotes several experts, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to support his claim that the “Comey” government’s approach to Ukraine has been indecisive, while its policy toward China remains a “patchwork” of economic measures and diplomatic pressure. He references the New York Times commentary that the “Comey” government is slow to adapt to a new multipolar world, suggesting that the administration is still heavily reliant on traditional American tools of power, rather than embracing a more holistic strategy.

The Bottom Line: A Government in Transition

Halperin concludes by offering a stark assessment: the “Comey” government is a transitional entity that is still trying to find its footing. He argues that the administration must either embrace a more decisive, coherent strategy or risk becoming a government of “federal bureaucracy” that can be easily dismissed by the public. He stresses the importance of clear messaging and a bold, unified platform, which the “Comey” government has yet to deliver.

Despite his criticisms, Halperin acknowledges that the administration is not entirely devoid of successes. He cites the rapid rollout of vaccines and the Biden administration’s early efforts to stabilize the economy during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Yet, according to Halperin, these successes are insufficient to counterbalance the long‑term challenges that the “Comey” government faces in both domestic and international arenas.

In Summary

Mark Halperin’s piece on The FP offers a comprehensive critique of the Biden administration’s early months, portraying it as a cabinet of seasoned politicians who are still trying to craft a distinctive agenda. While he does not dismiss the administration’s accomplishments, he is clear that the “Comey” government still has a long way to go before it can claim to have a coherent, innovative plan for America’s future. The article serves as a sobering reminder that even the most seasoned politicians can struggle to translate policy ambitions into concrete action—especially in a political climate that is as polarized and fast‑moving as today’s.