The phrase you are looking for is “deep state.”
Thank you it is. I was laying in bed thinking if maybe some of the more excessive actions taken by some Federal agents rounding up aliens are in fact “malicious compliance” designed to provide fodder for the MSM in their never ending attacks on President Trump. Think: “He’s not who we’re looking for.” “Take him anyway.” and the like. I wonder if anyone is keeping their eyes open for such “deep state” actors on the front lines.