Trump Appoints Project 2025 Architect Russ Vought to Lead Budget Office

Donald Trump has selected Russ Vought, a key figure behind the conservative Project 2025, to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Vought, who previously served as OMB director during Trump’s first term, is set to play a central role in advancing the administration’s fiscal and regulatory agenda.

Vought was instrumental in developing Project 2025, a policy framework aimed at expanding presidential authority, tightening regulations, and reducing the power of career civil servants. Although Trump initially distanced himself from the project, many contributors are former officials from his previous administration.

In his new role, Vought will collaborate with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, recently tapped to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. The team is expected to focus on aggressive budget cuts and streamlining federal operations.

The appointment has drawn criticism from Democrats, who warn that Project 2025 outlines a dramatic rightward shift in governance. Supporters, however, argue it represents a necessary overhaul of federal inefficiencies