Conflict and the White House

Conflict between Federal Agencies and the White House


It is not always the case that all of the political appointees in any given administration will have the same values and priorities as the President who appointed them.

This can lead to conflict between federal agencies and the White House, or even within the White House itself.

This can happen for many reasons. But a common cause is that, in order to ensure smooth relations with the US Congress, Presidents must sometimes accept political appointees recommended by members of congress, or even state officials who do not always share the values of the President.

In such cases, political appointees aligned with the President must use careful relationship-building and maneuvering to implement the President’s policies amidst opposition from other political appointees.

Conflict between Congress and the White House


It’s obvious that when Congress and the President are of different parties, there will be conflict. What’s less recognized is the significant conflict that can occur when Congress and the President are of the same party. Careful relationship- and coalition-building are needed by political appointees to navigate major conflicts of values and vision between a Congress and President of the same party.

Defense of Marriage Act – Though faced with a Republican-majority House and Senate, Democrat President Bill Clinton chose to bow to the majority sentiment of his party at the time which, unlike himself, was committed to legally defining marriage as between one man and one woman. In doing so, he avoided the embarrassing alternatives of facing a veto override or angering his base, who supported the traditional definition of marriage.

Obamacare – the Democrat Congress and President Obama started with very different positions but negotiated into what became Obamacare.

First Step Act – The Republican Congress overcame opposition among some of its members to the prospect of releasing prisoners contained in President Trump’s First Step Act, to successfully negotiate and pass the legislation with President Trump.

Conflict between the Judicial Branch and the White House