The Fifth Risk, Michael Lewis’ most recent book, outlines the rampant mismanagement of government agencies within the Trump administration and its consequences. Lewis argues that this mismanagement may put the United States—and the world—at risk. Through interviews with current and former government officials, Lewis paints a picture of an administration that assumed control of the executive branch of the federal government without even knowing the extent of their responsibilities—and without bothering to learn, either.
The main thesis of The Fifth Risk is that the lack of attention to detail within the White House is having a ripple effect on government agencies—and that the damage is greater than people realize. Lewis outlines numerous examples of mismanagement, from the disruption of medical research funding at the Department of Health and Human Services, to the mismanagement of disaster-relief funds at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lewis notes that these issues were largely ignored or downplayed in the media, in part due to the administration’s aggressive damage control tactics.
Lewise also points out that due to the lack of oversight and scrutiny within the Trump administration, there are potentially risks that aren’t even on the public radar. He focuses in particular on the US Department of Energy, noting its responsibility for overseeing the uranium and plutonium stockpiles that could cause mass destruction if used for nuclear weapons. He interviews former officials to explain the importance of the department’s work—and the lack of oversight it is currently facing—illustrating the gravity of the issue.
Lewis also explores potential consequences of the Trump administration’s leadership. Many government employees responsible for critical tasks, such as controlling nuclear weapons, have left as a result of inadequate staffing or budget cuts. Lewis argues that this leads to a lack of expertise, leaving us vulnerable to major mistakes. He suggests that this is why the Trump administration decided to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change: without a proper understanding of how the program worked, or how leaving could harm the United States, the decision was made without consideration for the consequences.
The Fifth Risk is an invaluable read for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the Trump administration’s handling of government agencies. Using interviews with current and past government officials, Lewis exposes the mismanagement and risks occurring in this administration that have been ignored by the public. Anyone concerned with the state of the US government should read The Fifth Risk: it brings an important issue to the forefront and serves as a rallying cry to heed these warnings.
