What is the spoil system in U.S. politics and how is it re-emerging today?

The spoil system, prominent in the 19th century, operates on a 'winner take all' principle where the president can dismiss government employees and replace them with political loyalists without protections. This system was later reformed through efforts by figures like Teddy Roosevelt, who championed clean government and a professional civil service. According to David Ignatius, we're now witnessing the revival of this system under the Trump administration. The reforms that established a protected professional civil service are being dismantled, returning government to a 'Trump-Musk spoil system' with substantial costs to federal agencies and their integrity.