Accountable government is a blessing – if we get it. We may be about to see big changes in living color. “We the People” deserve good leadership, not selfish but selfless.
Looking back, selfless leaders work hard, harder than those they serve. They understand who they serve, appreciate them, and respect limited government, lanes, rights, and honor.
They fundamentally understand what accountability is – doing your best with no excuses, making hard decisions, keeping costs down, owning your mistakes, making corrections, and learning.
Accountable leaders care about the mission and work to get it done. They respect people, care for them, inspire them, and help them deliver results. They earn trust, without which nothing.
They inspire others to do as they do. They set the tone, unafraid to expect much, lead.
America has had leaders since its beginning. The pilgrims were such people; the “Mayflower Compact” is our first example of accountability to each other, ourselves, and God.
Perhaps not coincidentally, Thanksgiving reminds us that our government – self-government – is dependent on us, but also a rare sort, able to be held accountable.
Years ago, my boss was Colin Powell, an example of service, determined to keep his team accountable and himself accountable. He personified owning your actions, expected much.
Most of all, as now, he expected those in public service to – prioritize the American People – or be “equal to our time,” step forward, work hard, and get outcomes. We are here again.
In my case, as Assistant Secretary of State responsible for programs in 70 countries’ two billion dollar budget, his direction was cryptic, expectations high. We did not want to fail.
We inherited waste, flipped rocks, found fraud, self-dealing, indifference, dishonesty. He would have none of it, empowered his team to make the State work and be accountable.
After confirmation, I realized the Federal bureaucracy was a beast foraging on tax dollars, the epitome of unaccountable. I worked to inspire, tighten, synchronize, shrink, and deliver.
Good leaders give an order, step back, let you prove yourself. Powell did that. We pulled in harnesses to get things done. The challenge was towering – and it is again.
Faced with a bureaucracy – or “deep state” – that hates change, getting called out, and no focus on accountability, how do you get results? The first move was calling the Inspector General in, demanding a dive on the whole two-billion-dollar operation. That sent shivers.
I wanted to know where the lies, inefficiencies, unethical acts, and missed opportunities were because taxpayers wanted them fixed. Powell gave the nod. That should happen again – across the whole government – on January 20, 2025. Unchecked waste continues apace.
Soon we were de-obligating tens of millions, infuriating embassies that had hidden money for decades in escrow, obligating to friendly contractors, and later spending on pet projects.
Overnight, sixty million dollars were returned to American taxpayers, offsets to future appropriations requests, or just given back. The bureaucracy was livid, Powell happy.
Next, we required over-billing contractors to justify invoices – to the penny. They hated it. They were told by me to write a check back to the US government or see their offenses in print. They returned the money swiftly, stung by the idea that accountability was real.
CEOs for big contractors were called into the office. No more de facto monopoly perpetuated by cozy midlevel staffers. Competition was open, and fines of 20,000 dollars a day were issued for late deliveries. They squirmed. Deliveries started arriving on time, and competition grew.
Next, I told hundreds of FSOs and civil servants – in person, big auditorium so they all knew that advancement was on merit if they worked to make the Secretary’s and President’s agenda real. If they had other ideas, leave.
More explicitly: Step up, start lifting with the Secretary’s team, or depart. The Red Sea parted, half left, half stayed. Those who stayed were well rewarded and worked as patriots.
Next, we talked about self-discipline, setting high-performance measures, and inspiring their teams to reach higher. Performance was rewarded, and underperforming programs were cut.
Who modeled “fish or cut bait?” Who rewarded those who cared, worked, put mission above self, and were accountable? Colin Powell. Did it work? You bet it did.
The bureaucracy, which creates anonymity to hide, often forgiving itself dishonesty, deceit, and dishonor – hates those who expect the best. In that “long ago universe,” we changed how business was done. We can again. We can get the government back if we demand it.
This Thanksgiving, we have people coming who understand accountability. We have – as a nation – voted for a better, more accountable, honest, productive, limited, faithful government. Expect a change of attitude, for that gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.
RBC, let us hope that the incoming administration of Pres. Trump will be able to CLEAN UP the messes that have been on for years. ACCOUNTABILITY !!!!
What we need is accountability for all the crimes committed by the last 8-12 years of Democrats. Hilary suffering no consequences for her personal server related felonies. Schiff getting off scott free for presenting known tampered-with evidence. Pelosi making millions from insider trading. The Biden crime family accepting payoffs from foreign countries laundered through 20+ shell companies. The FBI presenting a known fake Steele dossier to the FISA courts to start the Trump Russia collusion impeachment. The FBI telling the country the Hunter laptop was fake after knowing it was 100% authentic for over a year. Biden’s and Kamala’s human trafficking of illegals both into and all over the country.
The list goes on an on.
But until these criminals start serving time and losing everything these kinds of crimes will just keep occurring.
DOGE and Trump’s cabinet picks have a great opportunity to cut the fat and hold those exposed for their corruption and dereliction of duty accountable. I pray that they succeed, and Americans become galvanized as the liberal rot is revealed. The 2026 and 2028 elections will be here before we know it.
Great article. I would surely like to see, as a loyal, patriotic American citizen, all of what Mr. Charles discussed come to pass.
But there is more. Some might call it revenge, or vengeance, or retribution – but I call it justice. The outright crimes committed by many of the members of the current administration, up to and including Braindead Joe, and ranging all the way up to treason, must be investigated and punished. Not as revenge, or vengeance, or retribution, but as I said, as justice, and as a lesson for the future to those who might think of repeating the crimes of our current administration because such crimes won’t be punished. Everyone needs to know that one cannot commit all these crimes and walk away laughing – crime deserves punishment.
Accountability mortifies dems . For years they’ve treated the country as their little private fiefdom and it all came to an end and now they are petrified that all their sins will be exposed. Comfy couch collapsed.
The thought of the idea of trust — in the fourth paragraph — what accountable leaders think — ” They respect people,care for them, inspire them, help them deliver results. They earn trust, without which nothing.” That sort of thinking provides a solid foundation and trust is the material that will hold that foundation together. Good decision making, based on planning, organization, coordinating and scheduling, with intelligent clear communication is enhanced by trust among all those involved in any endeavor. . Hidden Blessing – Accountability .It brings a sense of purpose, a sense of optimism to mind and that is something to be thankful for
I hope Trump’s people can change the culture in Washington and if they can I hope the American people are never again stupid enough to elect a left wing administration.
I hope Trump has someone like Colin Powell to advise him. And that he listens.
What we call “accountability”, the left and its media will just be labeled “vengeance by dictator”! But if I were Trump, I’d worry about the next attempt on my life being from not a deranged loon but a deep state operative disguised as one! There’s already multiple threats being made to cabinet nominees by the minions…
An Awesome article, thanks to Mr. Charles for illuminating that process! It’s exactly what I’m hoping to see in the upcoming Revival of our Government! People true to themselves and to this Nation. Our prayers for Success are with them every day!
“Next, we required over-billing contractors to justify invoices – to the penny. They hated it. They were told by me to write a check back to the US government or see their offenses in print. They returned the money swiftly, stung by the idea that accountability was real.”
This will be fun to watch as DOGE gets going. No more hand outs, let the “hand ins” begin……
I recall Colin Powell’s tenure. Always wished he would run for President, but, of course, he was too smart for that. I do not recall EVER hearing about this reorganization and cost-cutting. So, guessing that the media chose NOT to cover this? Or I just missed hearing about it. I’m reading most of the 922 page Project 2025 and I am so impressed. What an incredibly detailed and well thought out “plan” for restructuring the federal government and giving the power back to the states. I look forward to YOUR opinion on this document. I could care less that the media is trying to make this about Trump knew and lied. Didn’t see his name ANYWHERE in the citations. Luckily, it isn’t against the law to read things that have been out there since 2023, not yet anyway.
I am very hopeful for the first time in 4 years. The current administration didn’t give a hoot about Americans. I mean African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans and European Americans.
I pray that we can all learn English vs non-English languages. I shouldn’t have to pick English or Spanish.
I pray the incoming government listens to the American people and addresses real concerns for us to be better, prosperous contributing members of society.
Dr.( I assume) Charles, I assert that the “Blessing”of Accountability “should not be a “Hidden Blessing” it should be publicly declared, and broadcast widely, along with the infractions, detention, and punishments of all Mis, or malfeasant actors involved. The People need to see Justice working.ors
But, Powell became a Rino!
accountability is long overdue.