Today in 1184 Henry VI of Germany was having a strategy meeting when the wooden second storey floor collapsed. Most of the courtiers fell through into the latrine cesspit below the ground floor, where more than 50 drowned in liquid excrement.

Political theory has not prepared us well for this moment. Aspirational theories of social justice and deliberative/participatory democracy provide few resources for appreciating and defending an impartial civil service, the rule of law, independent prosecutors, and limits on executive power.

NEW: Experts question whether Edward Coristine, a DOGE staffer who has gone by “Big Balls” online, would pass the background check typically required for access to sensitive US government systems.