POLITIQ

As Trump’s administration continues filling the U.S. government with personnel, the latest addition comes in the form of Russ Vought’s appointment as White House budget chief. Vought’s return—having held the same position during the first Trump administration—was confirmed on Thursday by a 53-47 Senate majority. However, his battle against the American bureaucracy has already begun.

The administration’s strong desire to significantly reduce the federal workforce is evident in the slew of forcefully worded executive orders (EOs) signed by Donald Trump and the sweeping restructuring of numerous agencies within the White House ecosystem. Thousands of employees have already received termination emails, and some agencies have been entirely dismantled.

There is little doubt about the mastermind behind these actions. Russell Vought has openly declared his intent to impose "trauma" on the federal workforce, dismantle what he views as an elitist "regime" that has long stifled conservatives, and shake the very foundations of a government he believes has been captured by an "administrative state."

So far, the new Trump administration appears to be closely following Project 2025 —a blueprint commissioned by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank with which Vought is heavily associated. However, the document’s sweeping conservative agenda has proven deeply unpopular with the American electorate, prompting Trump to repeatedly distance himself from it during his campaign and reject the idea of adhering to it if re-elected.

Vought’s reputation on Capitol Hill precedes him. A staunch fiscal conservative, he has been vocal in his opposition to tax increases and unbalanced budgets. His conservative rhetoric extends into the social sphere as well, with slogans like "America First" and "One Nation Under God" solidifying his ties to the MAGA movement.

However, actions speak louder than words. As mentioned, Vought is now the first person to return to the role of Director of the Office of Management and Budget from the previous Trump administration. His ambition to slash through the federal bureaucracy is unlikely to stop there. Former White House officials consistently describe him as an exceptionally determined figure, willing to go to great lengths to carry out the President’s directives. This may be precisely the type of appointment Trump’s administration needs. As the President’s controversial agenda faces mounting opposition from multiple levels of the U.S. political system, having the right personnel in place is increasingly crucial for its implementation.

That said, none of these initiatives are guaranteed to take effect. Congressional Democrats are expected to push back against Vought’s policies, with some senators already floating the possibility of Supreme Court challenges. However, with the Court’s composition skewing unusually conservative, this may prove to be an uphill battle. Furthermore, given the Democratic Party’s prolonged, nearly two-month period of internal "soul-searching," its ability to mount a structured and effective opposition remains in question.