There are a lot of problems, as you described. The SES (can’t remember what it stands for but you may remember) has IIRC about 8,000 employees who apparently cannot be fire.
The “cannot be fired” crap has GOT to go. Agree about HR. Means the bad guys will hire more bad guys!
With a new Congress in January, and very likely a lot of turmoil/arrests in between now and then, may make a lot of difference in what can get passed and what can’t.
Special Executive Service[s?]
One of the number 1 things to do also is get unions out of public employment jobs.