The government would have no reason to rip itself off as well unless there's corruption but that should be investigated.
What happens is that they get promoted to another team, or put on a project that has absolutely no future, and everyone knows it.
Why is it difficult to remove people? Because in the old days, newly elected executives would clear out the civil service and hire or contract with people that supported their election campaign.
I have wondered if we could ~endow government agencies in a way that would let them fail, and do the same to spin up ~internal competitors when we feel like turning up competition/innovation.
But it's not something I have gamed out enough steps to feel confident about...