"(These are not to be confused with career SES)"
THANK YOU!!! Finally, someone points out the difference between political appointees and the regular career SES within the civil service system. I've grown frustrated with the shitposting and pearl-clutching over the SES.
The regular SESs are parallel to the general officer corps within the military. There is absolutely nothing sinister about them. It's the political appointees that need weeding out. Why Trump didn't remove them all immediately after his inauguration is a mystery.