Drain the swamp. The deep state. Etc. These are pseudonyms for "The elite".
The "elite" is referring to "the establishment"
The "deep state" and the "swamp" represent the establishment. You also have people like RFK Jr whose entire claim to fame is questioning the legitimacy of scientific institutions.
That’s what you’re saying, which is absurd, but what you’re really thinking is that your people are better than other people
I know is not a deliberate motte-and-bailey, it’s just so fully baked in that you can’t be objective about it
Wikipedia has a great definition if you care.
Would you call them elites?