The term “Judas goat” refers to a trained goat that leads other animals to slaughter, unaware of its own role in their demise. In a political sense, this metaphor suggests leaders who knowingly or unknowingly guide a nation away from its foundational principles toward a different, potentially harmful direction.
Both Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) played pivotal roles in shifting the United States from the “Founding Constitution”—which emphasized limited government, individual liberty, and federalism—toward the “Progressive Constitution,” which expanded federal power, centralized authority, and promoted government intervention in society and the economy.
Let’s analyze in detail how both leaders fit this characterization.
Woodrow Wilson: The Intellectual Architect of Progressivism
Wilson’s Critique of the Founding Constitution
Woodrow Wilson, a political scientist before becoming president, openly criticized the Constitution and the separation of powers as outdated relics of an 18th-century mindset. He believed that government should evolve, adapting to new economic and social realities.
- Rejected Natural Rights – The Founders believed in inalienable rights given by God. Wilson, influenced by German historicism, saw rights as evolving based on societal needs.
- Criticized the Separation of Powers – He believed the checks and balances system hindered effective governance, advocating for a more “living government” that could respond dynamically to crises.
- Saw the Presidency as a “Moral Leader” – Unlike the Founders, who saw the president as an executive enforcing laws, Wilson viewed the role as a visionary leader shaping national destiny.
Policies That Shifted the Constitutional Order
- 1913: Federal Reserve Act – Created a centralized banking system, shifting economic power from private markets to government regulators.
- 1913: 16th Amendment (Federal Income Tax) – Allowed the federal government to tax individuals directly, greatly increasing federal revenue and power.
- 1913: 17th Amendment (Direct Election of Senators) – Weakened state governments’ influence over federal legislation, centralizing power in Washington.
- Expansion of Government in World War I – Wilson censored speech (Espionage and Sedition Acts), took control of industries, and set a precedent for wartime government overreach.
Wilson’s Legacy
Wilson laid the intellectual foundation for the Progressive Era, where government moved away from constitutional originalism and toward bureaucratic rule. His vision paved the way for the New Deal and the modern administrative state.
Was he a Judas goat? If so, it was through ideology rather than deception—he was openly against the Founders’ vision and sought to replace it.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Executor of the Progressive Constitution
FDR’s Expansion of Federal Power
While Wilson laid the philosophical groundwork, FDR put Progressivism into full effect, dramatically expanding federal power in ways that permanently altered the U.S. system.
- The New Deal (1933-1939) – A massive expansion of government through federal programs, entitlements, and regulations.
- Court-Packing Scheme (1937) – Attempted to add more Supreme Court justices to prevent constitutional challenges to his policies.
- Social Security Act (1935) – Created the foundation for the modern welfare state, shifting responsibility from individuals and communities to the federal government.
- National Recovery Administration (NRA) & Agricultural Adjustments – Increased federal control over private businesses, wages, and agriculture.
Moving from Individual Liberty to Government Dependency
The Founding Constitution emphasized self-reliance, free markets, and local governance. FDR’s policies entrenched federal control, conditioning citizens to depend on government programs rather than personal initiative.
- Shift in American Psychology – Citizens increasingly saw government as a provider rather than a protector of rights.
- Erosion of Property Rights – Regulations and welfare policies undermined traditional economic freedoms.
- Centralization of Power – States became increasingly dependent on federal funds, weakening federalism.
FDR’s Legacy
FDR successfully transformed the U.S. government from one of limited powers into a large, centralized state. By doing so, he led Americans away from their constitutional roots and into a system where government intervention became the norm.
Was he a Judas goat? Unlike Wilson, who was an academic theorist, FDR was a master politician who framed his policies as saving America, even as they departed from the Founders’ principles. Whether knowingly or not, he led the country into dependence on big government under the guise of “helping” the people.
The Consequences of This Shift
The Administrative State – Government agencies (e.g., the IRS, EPA, Federal Reserve) now wield legislative and executive powers without direct accountability.
Permanent Welfare State – Government assistance became an expectation, not a last resort.
Weakening of Constitutional Protections – The judiciary increasingly interpreted the Constitution in favor of expanding federal power.
Crisis Justification for Government Overreach – Wilson used WWI; FDR used the Great Depression and WWII. Later leaders would use emergencies (e.g., the War on Terror, COVID-19) to justify further government expansion.
Conclusion: Did Wilson and FDR Betray the Founding Principles?
Both Wilson and FDR radically transformed America by moving it away from the Founding Constitution and toward a Progressive Constitution centered on government control and bureaucratic rule.
- Wilson was the ideological Judas goat – He rejected the Founders’ principles and introduced the intellectual justification for an expanded state.
- FDR was the practical Judas goat – He implemented the policies that made big government permanent, leading the people to embrace dependence on the state.
Final Thought
If America was originally founded on self-governance, limited government, and individual liberty, then the legacies of Wilson and FDR represent a departure—whether intentional or misguided—from that vision. The question remains: Will the people recognize the price of ignoring reality, as Huxley warned, or continue paying it?
