“I have a meeting today with Russ Vought … to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent,” Trump wrote.
“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he added.
Under Vought’s direction, the administration has already frozen billions of dollars in funding for New York City subway infrastructure projects. Federal agencies are carrying out shutdown protocols that include delaying payments to employees and reviewing spending priorities against White House policy.
Johnson said Vought is performing a necessary job.
“As you know, whomever is seated in the chair at OMB during the shutdown has to do the same thing,” Johnson said. “We had a 45-minute telephone conference with [Vought] yesterday. He talked to all the House Republicans. He takes no pleasure in this … because Russ has to sit down and decide, because he’s in charge of that office, which policies, personnel and which programs are essential, and which are not. That is not a fun task, and he is not enjoying that responsibility.”
