"Zoom in: Trump said he met Thursday with White House budget chief Russ Vought to discuss what "Democrat agencies" should get cuts, casting the shutdown as a chance to shrink a federal workforce Trump has long viewed as hostile. Goading Democrats, Trump flaunted Vought's role in Project 2025 ("he of PROJECT 2025 Fame") - the hard-right blueprint for expanding executive power that Trump disavowed on the campaign trail after it became a political liability."
"Already, Vought has announced the termination of nearly $8 billion in funding for clean-energy projects in 16 states, all of which voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and have Democratic senators. He also has frozen $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects, a thinly veiled shot at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)."
Trump met with White House budget chief Russ Vought to identify cuts to "Democrat agencies" and framed the shutdown as an opportunity to shrink a perceived hostile federal workforce. Vought, linked to Project 2025, has moved to terminate nearly $8 billion for clean-energy projects in 16 states and freeze $18 billion in New York City infrastructure funding. The actions are positioned to weaken congressional influence, reduce bureaucracy, and concentrate power in the presidency. Legal challenges are expected over appropriations and proposed mass firings. The effort is part of a broader push affecting military posture, higher-education policies, and rule-of-law arenas.
Read at Axios
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