Yes and no. You are true that the bureaucracy is non-partisan and bureaucrats are not necessarily beholden to political leaders or process. However, leadershi

Yes and no. You are true that the bureaucracy is non-partisan and bureaucrats are not necessarily beholden to political leaders or process. However, leadership (in a company, in a country, whatever) will set the priorities and tone of any group under them. Even if that leadership is in some ways going against the current of the bureaucracy, it's certainly possible for a dynamic leader (or group of leaders) to change the direction of an organization. And if there's one thing most people in politics must be exceptionally good at, it's getting people to agree that their plan or policies is the best plan or policies. There's also a lot of power in being able to say "These are the criteria upon which all of you will be evaluated for raises and promotions", too. I'd expect the US bureaucracy is a little more ossified than most large corporations, but not so much so that appointing leadership doesn't change the direction of the bureaucracy.