When fighting bureaucracy means disbanding a pandemics office

“More bureaucracy!” is perhaps not the best rallying cry. But what if streamlining leads to disbanding a pandemics office? The current crisis highlights both sides of the issue.

When PBS journalist Yamiche Alcindor recently asked President Donald Trump about his decision to disband the National Security Council’s office for pandemics, Mr. Trump said the question was “nasty.”

But it pointed to a fundamental tension in Mr. Trump’s view of government. Can he “streamline” a government that he feels has become too bloated while maintaining its ability to act effectively?...