Michael Lewis' 'Blockers' exposes chaos caused by Musk-backed officials in U.S. agencies

In Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State, Michael Lewis juxtaposes stories of committed federal employees—who abandoned high-paying private sector roles to keep government functions alive—with the chaotic influence of a group he dubs “Blockers,” young officials idolizing Elon Musk and placed in the Department of Government Efficiency. These “Blockers” pursued confidential data, dismissed staff they could not manage, and pressured agencies from the United States Institute of Peace to the Internal Revenue Service, with characters such as Gavin Kliger demanding taxpayer information and Howard Lutnick overseeing severe budget cuts at NIST.

Lewis also chronicles the forced exit of former NIH director Francis Collins, the involvement of Russell Vought, and the erosion of fire-research expertise after Alexander Maranghides retired, highlighting the broader damage caused by budget slashes and political interference during the second Trump administration. The book portrays the loss of decades-long expertise as a national liability while noting that several of the implicated “Blockers” are now subject to legal action. Ultimately, Lewis seeks to give voice to the overlooked dedication of public servants.