The “Deep State” are the morally ambiguous (maybe self righteous) careerist government employees that truly believe they’re smarter than the other citizens and will bend (or break) any rule or law to get their way.
It can only be starved but it may well lash out if too hungry.
“morally ambiguous (maybe self righteous) careerist government employees that truly believe they’re smarter than the other citizens and will bend (or break) any rule or law to get their way.”
The UAP hearings today gave two categories of what we call the “Deep State”.
You nailed the first one.
The second (and equally important) are retired career government officials who have gone to the private sector (often military industrial complex but can be other organizations) to “play the game” far from prying eyes.