Yes, the ATF first-level managers were calling it a "ZBO" -- for "Zee Beeg One", a budget-cycle stunt raid intended to show footage of lots of scary-looking Kalashnikovs and Barret rifles stacked on a table and weeping-weenie Davidians being perp-walked to federal prison by barrel-chested ATF champions.
Remember, though, that Waco was planned on 41's watch by the same ATF that had tried to entrap Randy Weaver, leading to the Ruby Ridge siege.
And always remember that 41 resigned from the NRA rather than brook criticism of what was done by ATF on his watch in his name.
There is a book-length study of firearms policy under 41 -- the real policy, not the political one -- waiting to be written. And useful inferences drawn.
Gubbbermint workers can very energetic and entrepreneurial when it comes to enlarging their fiefdoms, getting more money for their fiefdoms and securing bloated pensions and benefits
All I know is the ATF is a bunch of money grubbers who looked like idiots in that big Waco raid