Russell Vought Confirmed as Trump’s Budget Chief Amid Fierce Opposition and Fear of Executive Overreach

Reactions poured in Thursday night as the Senate confirmed Russ Vought, a key architect of Project 2025, as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), despite strong opposition from Democrats and concerns over executive overreach.

Vought was confirmed by a 53-47 vote, following an all-night protest by Senate Democrats, who fear that under his leadership, the OMB could be used to undermine Congress’ constitutional “power of the purse.” Democrats took particular issue with Vought’s past comments, including his assertion that federal workers should be “put in trauma” and “viewed as the villains.”

“Is there a single manager or leader or organizational chief that we admire who believes that their mission, their happiness, their glee, their purpose is to make their workforce feel traumatized?” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) asked on the Senate floor. “No, we would never celebrate a leader of that kind.”

Vought has also argued that the Impoundment Control Act, a 50-year-old law restricting a president’s ability to unilaterally withhold congressionally approved funds, is unconstitutional. His confirmation signals a significant shift in federal budgetary control, potentially granting President Donald Trump broader authority to cut spending without congressional approval.

Vought’s confirmation sparked widespread criticism on social media, particularly from lawmakers and political analysts warning about his extremist ideology and potential threats to democratic norms. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) took to Bluesky to condemn the decision, writing:

“Senate Republicans just confirmed Russ Vought to manage our nation’s budget. Vought is an extremist who has made clear he’ll ignore our nation’s laws, cut funding that helps people across the country & give Trump unprecedented & unconstitutional power. There will be consequences.”

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) echoed those concerns, stating that Vought’s “extreme views trample on the Constitution and open the door for corruption at the expense of the American people.”

“We need a government that works for everyone, not just the well-off and the well-connected who pledge loyalty to the president,” Kim added, emphasizing that while the confirmation battle is over, the fight against “corruption and unchecked power” is only beginning.

Thomas Zimmer, a historian at Georgetown University, also weighed in, warning that Vought’s appointment represents a radical shift in governance. “And there it is: Russell Vought is confirmed. He’s one of the architects of Project 2025, an avowed Christian nationalist, and a radical ideologue of the ‘post-constitutional’ Right. He is at war with pluralistic democracy.”

Rahna Epting, executive director at MoveOn, urged vigilance, stating: “Every single Senate Democrat voted against Vought, the architect of Project 2025, as any reasonable person should. This guy is a threat to us all. Watch. Him. Closely.”

As Vought assumes control of the White House budget office, his policies and decisions will be closely scrutinized for their potential impact on government spending, executive authority, and constitutional governance.