Title: Conservative Figure Reveals Ambitious Plan for Federal Staff Reductions
ATLANTA (AP) — A key figure in the conservative movement has unveiled a bold strategy to drastically reduce the size of federal agencies, driving the Trump administration’s call for downsizing. Russell Vought, who played a significant role in President Donald Trump’s first term and now serves as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is the architect behind Project 2025, a conservative agenda that Trump distanced himself from during the 2024 campaign. His recent memo, co-signed on Wednesday, underscores his influence and highlights his longstanding belief that the federal bureaucracy poses a serious threat to the nation, advocating for substantial downsizing. A spokesperson for OMB did not respond immediately for comment.
Vought views the federal bureaucracy as a constitutional crisis, describing it in the memo as “costly, inefficient, and burdened with debt,” failing to deliver benefits to the American public while diverting funds to redundant programs. This sentiment echoes his previous writings in Project 2025 and a budget proposal he crafted for the Center for Renewing America in 2022, emphasizing the urgent need for restructuring to safeguard self-governance in the U.S.
In his writings, Vought positions the OMB as essential for presidential governance, likening it to an air-traffic control system and advocating for its expanded role in shaping White House policies. He believes that OMB, serving as the nerve center of the federal budget, can rein in agency spending and exert control over government operations, aligning with his vision of “radical constitutionalism.”
Vought has also expressed support for unconventional approaches, endorsing the idea of granting Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy significant authority over the federal government for their innovative thinking and risk-taking capabilities. While Ramaswamy’s departure from this initiative was swift, Vought remains steadfast in his commitment to reshaping the federal landscape and challenging critics of the administration.
Regarding the constitutional separation of powers and the belief that the Trump administration aims to assert control over spending decisions within the jurisdiction of Congress, Vought articulated, “Separation of powers is intended to embody strong, resolute conviction and leadership that move swiftly and decisively in their chosen direction.” The recent memo delves deeper into this concept compared to previous writings by Vought.
The most recent directive from Vought mandates that government agencies must present an initial restructuring plan by the middle of March, a deadline referred to as “Phase I” which was instituted by President Trump. Subsequent to this, the agencies are required to submit their “Phase II” plans by April 14th. These plans must include various specifics, such as a proposed future organizational chart and a comprehensive record of all proposed reductions, encompassing full-time positions, temporary roles, reemployed retirees, real estate commitments, and contractual obligations.
In addition to these administrative details, Vought draws upon religious references and texts to underscore the agenda he is advancing. Although not directly addressed in the latest Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo, Vought’s outspoken conservative Christian beliefs are integral to his governing principles. This is evident in the Center for Renewing America’s 2022 budget proposal, which commences with a quote from the Old Testament, specifically from the eighth chapter of the first book of Samuel. This excerpt sets the stage for a critique of the federal government’s perceived overreach in terms of size and influence, invoking the imagery of unjust rulers taking from the people and subjecting them to servitude, leading to a state of lamentation and regret among the populace.
