In Atlanta, a new directive from the Trump administration aims for federal agencies to undergo comprehensive reduction in size. This initiative is primarily led by Russell Vought, a prominent figure within the conservative movement. During President Donald Trump’s initial term, Vought played a significant supporting role before assuming the position as director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an influential, though often overlooked agency. Returning to this role in Trump’s second term, Vought authored the conservative governance framework known as Project 2025, which Trump previously denied was part of his 2024 campaign platform.
A recent memo co-authored by Vought is a decisive show of his influence, highlighting his belief that the federal bureaucracy poses a fundamental threat to the nation and demands significant downsizing. The Office of Management and Budget has not provided a response to inquiries for comments on this matter.
For Vought, the federal bureaucracy represents a constitutional crisis. In the latest memo, he critiques the federal government as being financially burdensome and ineffective, with taxpayer dollars being wasted on unnecessary programs instead of delivering substantial results to the American people. This language echoes the sentiments expressed in Project 2025 and a 104-page budget proposal from his think tank, the Center for Renewing America, presented in 2022. Vought argues the current situation is dire, unsustainable financially, and requires immediate reform, as it threatens the foundation of self-governance in the United States.
In a public appearance with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson following his re-nomination, Vought underscored his perspectives more explicitly, stating that the administrative structure created over the past century is largely unaccountable to presidential authority.
In Project 2025, Vought expressed a vision for leveraging his role at OMB as a central control mechanism for the President’s policies. He emphasized that OMB should play a significant role in shaping and implementing White House policy, with enough power to override the bureaucracies of implementing agencies. During his conversation with Carlson, Vought described OMB as the central command for managing the federal budget, highlighting its capability to curb agency spending and oversee government execution fully. He views the role of the President and OMB as critical in managing the federal bureaucratic system.
Vought proposes a fiscal strategy that OMB directors should present early in budget planning without explicitly defining deadlines. He further supports empowering influential figures like Elon Musk and former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to have extensive control over the federal government, describing them as invigorating forces capable of infusing creativity and risk-taking into government operations.
The latest memo, providing more detailed directives, requires agencies to draft an initial restructuring plan by mid-March, a timeline introduced by Trump. By April 14, agencies must submit further plans, including organizational charts and thorough documentation covering various facets like staffing, real estate, and contractual obligations.
Although the memo doesn’t venture into religious themes, Vought, a conservative Christian, allows his faith to inform his governing principles. His organization, the Center for Renewing America, begins its 2022 budget proposal with a passage from the Old Testament’s First Book of Samuel, critiquing government size and power.
