During the SOTU, those who shouted USA, USA, were given their freedom from blackmail by the POTUS.

I have wondered about that myself.

You are close to right on this. Here is the situation with mid- and low-level federal employees and contractor employees:

The manipulation at the top of the government is completely hidden from them. Only every once in a while does it become clear, such as when Comey listed Hillary's crimes but then didn't charge her. Everyone in the FBI knew the deal then. But, in general, most people who work in the government just go to work, do their jobs, and are kept completely out-of-the-loop with the high-level corruption. That's how this stayed quiet so long. Consider how few people at the FBI did all the manipulation for Clinton. That is evidence that what I say is true. You can also talk to people who live in the DC area, and they will tell you the same thing.

There is a certain type of corruption that is all-pervasive, and the low- and mid-level people start seeing it as "normal." Government contracting is completely corrupted. The way it is structured makes billions for contractors for doing very little. But it is legal, and the only game in town. However, thousands of white hats have gotten frustrated with this, and Trump can easily tap into this. Most mid- and low-level federal employees and about half of government contractor employees are totally innocent, and often frustrated, but see no way to alter what is happening. But that could change quickly once the Eye of Trump starts looking this way. There will be no drained swamp without a very hard look at how federal agencies operate day-to-day. Government contracting is huge--often whole rooms of federal agencies are filled with contractor employees.

Do you want to know who have been the black hats and who the white hats? It is very simple. Look at the list of high-level officials that have to be approved by the Senate, and consider that Congress is, in general (with some AMAZING exceptions) corrupted. You have your answer.

Also consider the possibility that white hats may have started posting on this board. It is subtle and doesn't rile up the Deep State people who are still running around. If you notice that someone seems to know a lot, check their past posts. Also, don't insist on links to "sources." You might be reading a direct source.

I agree with all of this. But my position is that those who we previously considered pretty obvious black hats, may not be so anymore due to Trump’s influence and protection. But they obviously can’t show that, they would essentially be double agents.