Latest news with #ScheduleF
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russ Vought: key Project 2025 figure set to continue Trump cuts after Musk exit
Russ Vought's years-long quest to dismantle the federal workforce and consolidate power for the president is coming to fruition, and he may be given a major boost when he reportedly takes on Elon Musk's cost-cutting efforts as the billionaire bows out of the federal government. The director of the office of management and budget has worked alongside Musk's 'department of government efficiency' to slash through the federal government since Trump took office. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Vought would take on an increased public role in Washington as Musk transitions out and the president's budget process advances. The outlet reported that Vought could use the budget process to make some of Doge's cuts permanent. Vought embraces Christian nationalism and is more ideologically driven than Musk. He knows more intimately how to use the levers of government to enact his goals. He was a key figure in Project 2025, the conservative manifesto to guide a second Trump term, and authored a chapter on how to lead the agency he's again tasked with leading. His distaste for civil servants, the so-called 'deep state' that prevented Trump from carrying out his full agenda the first time, is profound. 'We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected,' Vought said in a video obtained by ProPublica and the research group Documented in October. 'When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work, because they are increasingly viewed as the villains. We want their funding to be shut down … We want to put them in trauma.' Musk and Vought have forged a 'quiet alliance', Politico reported in March. Musk served as the public face of cutting the government, the wrecking ball whose team forced its way into federal agencies to access data to underpin cuts to spending. Vought and his team had the knowledge and precision to then parse that data and figure out whether and how to cut, Politico reported. A former official told the outlet that Vought was a ''by any means necessary' guy', grasping the political moment to serve his vision. Max Stier, who leads the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit that seeks to advance the federal workforce, told Politico that the difference between the two men is that 'Vought wants to reshape our government into a bludgeon for his ideological vision, while Musk seems much more focused on destruction without understanding or care for the many harmful consequences of his actions'. Vought told the conservative commentator Tucker Carlson he thought Doge was 'bringing an exhilarating rush' and creativity to slashing the government, praising the agency's 'outside- the-box thinking [and] comfortability with risk and leverage'. Vought is expected to work on the new version of Schedule F, a proposal he advanced in Trump's first term that was revived, which would eliminate job protections for tens of thousands of career civil servants, making it easier to fire them and replace them with loyalists. Vought wants to flex executive power and exert the president's role over the federal budget by impounding funds, or not spending money Congress has already appropriated in its role as budget-maker. He's spoiling for a court battle on the topic, hoping the US supreme court will overturn the Impoundment Control Act, which limits impoundment. Before he was confirmed in his role, the office of management and budget sent a memo that created confusion and chaos nationwide when it called for a mass freeze on federal grants and funds in the early days of the Trump administration. That memo had 'Russ's name written all fucking over it', a Republican aide told Politico, though Vought was not formally tied to it. Vought served in Trump's first term as deputy director of the agency, then director, ending when Trump left office. Before his White House tenure, Vought was a fixture in rightwing politics in Washington, holding a variety of roles in Republican offices. Related: Russell Vought: Trump appointee who wants federal workers to be 'in trauma' After his time in the White House, Vought started the Center for Renewing America, an organization with a mission to 'renew a consensus of America as a nation under God' that has railed against critical race theory and progressive ideology. The center has recommended invoking the Insurrection Act and ending the Impoundment Control Act. The center, and Vought, contributed to Project 2025, which was helmed by the conservative thinktank the Heritage Foundation. In Project 2025's chapter on the office of the president, Vought lays out how the federal government is not beholden to the president's plan and is instead 'carrying out its own policy plans and preferences – or, worse yet, the policy plans and preferences of a radical, supposedly 'woke' faction of the country'. The bureaucracy believes it has independent authority and protection, making it too powerful to be reined in, Vought said. 'The great challenge confronting a conservative President is the existential need for aggressive use of the vast powers of the executive branch to return power – including power currently held by the executive branch – to the American people,' he wrote. As for his own role, the budget director 'must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the president's mind as it pertains to the policy agenda'. Vought, and the project writ large, call for mass firings of federal employees to better stock the workforce with Trump loyalists who will not stand in the way of his agenda. 'The overall situation is constitutionally dire, unsustainably expensive, and in urgent need of repair,' he wrote of the federal bureaucracy. 'Nothing less than the survival of self-governance in America is at stake.' Since Trump has taken office, a host of Project 2025-aligned proposals have been introduced or put in place, cementing the role the ideological document plays in the advancement of the rightwing agenda. The first wave of Project 2025-aligned actions has been conducted largely by executive orders. A second wave of recommendations requires the rule-making process at agencies, and others would require congressional action. In this more precise stage, Vought would carry out his plans to create long-term changes to how the federal government functions and operates. He has written the budget office plays a 'vital role in reining in the regulatory state'.
E&E News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
EPA withholds records on jobs losing civil service safeguards
EPA is declining to make public a list of jobs that could be reclassified and stripped of standard civil service protections . 'The records are exempt from disclosure because they are predecisional and deliberative and would harm agency decision making if released,' an employee in EPA's Office of Mission Support wrote in a response this week to a Freedom of Information Act request from POLITICO's E&E News. In the request, E&E News had sought the review of EPA positions 'to be placed in Schedule Policy/Career, otherwise known as Schedule F.' EPA and other agencies were supposed to turn in their interim recommendations to the Office of Personnel Management by April 20, according to a memo from acting OPM Director Charles Ezell. Advertisement Near the end of his first term, President Donald Trump in a 2020 executive order created Schedule F, which would have made it easier to fire employees involved in policy-making positions. Trump framed the approach as a way to instill more accountability into the career federal workforce; critics said it would spur the workforce's politicization.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
One major part of Project 2025 is falling apart
If it's not enough that Elon Musk's DOGE has been taking a chainsaw to the federal labor force, about three weeks ago, the Trump administration announced that it is going to begin implementing "Schedule F," the creepy huxleyan name for the Executive Order they produced at the end of the first term to make it easier to fire civil service employees deemed disloyal. President Biden threw it in the trash, but, as expected, it's back. After all, it's part of Project 2025 architect Russell Vought's tools of the trade, and now that he's back at the Office of Management and Budget he's been itching to use it. It's estimated that 50,000 people will be subject to the law once they are re-classified from civil service protections to "at will" policy employees. It's pretty obvious that a witch hunt for personnel that any rando MAGA appointee suspects of being a turncoat (or just a Democrat) will soon be fired. The whole idea was to fill the jobs with the kind of people Russell Vought thinks have America's best interests at heart. That means white, Christian nationalists. The Washington Post reported on this back in 2024, in anticipation of his expected influence in a Donald Trump second term: Vought also embraces Christian nationalism, a hard-right movement that seeks to infuse Christianity into all aspects of society, including government. He penned a 2021 Newsweek essay that disputed allegations of bias and asked, 'Is There Anything Actually Wrong With 'Christian Nationalism?'' ... Looking at immigration through that lens, Vought has called for'mass deportation' of illegal immigrants and a 'Christian immigration ethic' that would strictly limit the types of people allowed entry into the United States. Essentially Vought takes the same position as Trump adviser Stephen Miller but he comes at it from a Christian nationalist perspective. All roads lead to persecution of immigrants in the Trump administration. Vought believes that we are in a "post-constitutional" time which explains a lot about how the administration is going about its work through the courts. In a piece he wrote back in 2023, Vought laid out his critique of what the MAGA types refer to as the "deep state" insisting that a federal government staffed with experts and bureaucrats had taken over the government and usurped the will of the people. It's a bit confusing since he seems to also think that "the Left" has been degrading the Constitution for over a hundred years and that the Congress needs to have more power — but maybe not so much. In any case he concludes with this rousing cri de guerre: But the long, difficult road ahead of returning to our beloved Constitution starts with being honest with ourselves. It starts by recognizing that we are living in a post-Constitutional time. Our need is not just to win congressional majorities that blame the other side or fill seats on court benches to meddle at the margins. It is to cast ourselves as dissidents of the current regime and to put on our shoulders the full weight of envisioning, articulating, and defending what a Radical Constitutionalism requires in the late hour that our country finds itself in, and then to do it. That and only that will be how American statesmanship can be defined in the years ahead. A big part of Vought's strategy, as with Miller's, was to legally challenge the prevailing meaning of precedents, rulings and words themselves. I was reminded of all this when I read this piece by Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo about the coming implementation of Schedule F. As he rightly points out, "it's absurd to think that Congress would create the Civil Service system in such a way that a President could simply reclassify people and suddenly the whole system of protections would disappear." Why would they even have bothered to do it at all? Marshall observes that such actions as Schedule F (or DOGE or the use of the Alien Enemies Act) rests on "the assumption (quite possibly right) that the federal judiciary would dispense with the plain meaning of the relevant federal workforce laws and substitute novel definitions of key phrases put forward by Trump administration lawyers." I don't think there's any doubt that this is their intention. But Vought, at least two years ago, understood that it might not be that easy. In that essay about radical constitutionalism, Vought wrote at length about immigration and how it should be understood as an "invasion," which he believed should empower border governors to apprehend migrants and deport them according to Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution. (It does no such thing.) Vought complained: My point in bringing this up is that you would be surprised at how hard it has been to get conservative lawyers to see this for no other reason than its novelty. That is what has to change. This is where we need to be radical in discarding or rethinking the legal paradigms that have confined our ability to return to the original Constitution. It doesn't seem to be taking, at least not in the way Vought hoped. Ian Millhiser of Vox attended a Federalist Society gathering and found the conservative legal community "far more ambivalent about their president's second term than one might expect after such a fruitful partnership." 'They are going to have the same level of success they had in the last administration' with getting rid of long-standing rules and regulations, George Washington University law professor Richard Pierce told the conference, 'which is virtually none.' Implicit in this critique is a belief that the web of procedural barriers, bureaucratic trap doors, and paperwork burdens that prevent any presidential administration from changing too much, too fast will survive the second Trump administration more or less unscathed. Pierce predicted that many of Trump's deregulatory efforts would simply be struck down in court. Millhiser says that some of this can be attributed to a turf war — the conservative legal community is not happy with the cavalier treatment of the judiciary by the Trump people. Evidently, they are feeling a bit stroppy about all this unitary executive business now that it's being wielded by an elderly con man and a car manufacturer with a chainsaw. So far, most judges have been similarly unwilling to go along with Russ Vought and Stephen Miller's mad schemes. But late Tuesday night a district judge in Western Pennsylvania did give them some succor. She held that the Alien Enemies Act had originally applied to pirates and robbers so it does apply to foreign gang members. (She did say they have to be given a hearing within 21 days so at least there's no grant to just shoot them as one imagines would have been allowed in one of those 18th century pirate invasions.) The case is headed to the Supreme Court where we will almost assuredly see at least two, probably three, of the justices uphold this cockamamie definition. And there are many more cases coming based upon Vought's "radical constitutionalism" which rely on the Supreme Court throwing out the plain meaning of the English language and adopting MAGA extremists' definition of the constitution. I wish I could say with confidence that they won't. Perhaps we just have to hope that Millhiser's observation that the conservative legal fraternity isn't happy about Trump and company treading on their turf will get us out of this mess. For now anyway.
Int'l Business Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Trump's Budget Boss Vought Plans £7.4bn Cuts and Mass Firings
President Donald Trump's fiscal shake-up is in full swing, and Russell Vought, the new Director of the Office of Management and Budget ( OMB ), is taking charge with a mandate to slash government spending. Appointed on 12 May 2025, Vought steps into a high-stakes role at the Department of Government Efficiency ( DOGE ) after Elon Musk's exit, promising £7.4 billion ($9.8 billion) in budget cuts that could reshape federal operations. But with plans to fire thousands of civil servants and trim public services, is this a bold fix for bloat or a recipe for chaos? Let's dive in. Push for Deep Budget Cuts Vought's first move is a £7.4 billion ($9.8 billion) rescissions package, targeting funds from agencies like the State Department, USAID, and public broadcasters like NPR and PBS. Confirmed by the Senate on 7 February 2025 in a tight 53-47 vote, Vought is tasked with redirecting these funds to align with Trump's vision of a leaner government . The cuts, set to begin by 30 June 2025, aim to curb what Trump calls 'wasteful spending' that's ballooned the federal deficit to £33 trillion ($43 trillion). Musk, who claimed DOGE saved £128 billion ($170 billion) in its first 100 days, stepped back in April 2025 to focus on Tesla. Vought now carries the torch, blending OMB's budget authority with DOGE's aggressive cost-cutting ethos. Posts on X cheer the move, with some calling Vought 'the most dangerous MAGA diehard you've never heard of' for tackling bureaucracy. Yet, Democrats warn these cuts could gut essential services, leaving vulnerable communities in the lurch. Overhaul Federal Workforce Vought's boldest plan is reviving Schedule F , a Trump-era policy that strips job protections from thousands of senior civil servants, making them easier to fire. Reintroduced on 20 January 2025, Schedule F aims to root out 'inefficient' bureaucrats, with Vought estimating it could affect 50,000 federal workers by 31 December 2025. 'We need a workforce that serves the president's agenda,' Vought told aides, echoing Trump's push for executive control. The policy has sparked fierce backlash. Unions and nonprofits have filed a federal lawsuit in California, arguing Schedule F is illegal and could cost taxpayers £108 billion ($143 billion) in lost productivity. Critics say mass firings risk crippling agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration, delaying tax refunds and benefits for millions. Face Defense Spending Pushback Vought's cuts aren't going unchallenged, even within Trump's camp. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing back against Vought's plan to freeze military spending, arguing it weakens national security. The Pentagon, facing a £760 billion ($950 billion) budget, wants more for weapons programs, but Vought's team insists on 'fiscal discipline'. This clash, expected to intensify by the 15 July 2025 budget deadline, could strain Trump's coalition as GOP hawks demand exemptions. The broader economic impact is also raising eyebrows. Analysts estimate Vought's rescissions could save £16 billion ($21 billion) annually but risk slowing GDP growth by 0.3 percent, hitting small businesses reliant on federal contracts. The balancing act is delicate, and Vought's hardline stance may test Trump's political capital. Budget Cuts Threaten Public Services Russell Vought's 'ruthless' budget cuts are a defining moment for Trump's second term, proving his commitment to shrinking government. The £7.4 billion ($9.8 billion)rescissions and Schedule F overhaul could streamline operations, but the costs, disrupted services, legal battles, and economic ripples, loom large. As Vought wields the budget axe, the question remains: will these cuts deliver efficiency or leave the government, and its people, stranded? Originally published on IBTimes UK
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Who is Russell Vought? Trump's Project 2025 author reportedly tapped to take over DOGE from Elon Musk
, President Trump's top budget official and a leading figure behind the controversial agenda, is set to succeed as head of the Department of Government Efficiency ( ). As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the billionaire tech mogul is stepping down from his government role, making way for Vought, who has already been quietly shaping many of DOGE's policies from behind the scenes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This transition marks a significant shift in how the federal government is managed under Trump's second term. Musk, who has overseen the department since January 2025, was tasked with executing deep budget cuts and rolling back federal regulations. His approach drew praise from fiscal conservatives but also sparked mass protests and agency shutdowns. Now, Vought, already director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will assume full responsibility for pushing those reforms further. According to WSJ, Vought intends to cement Musk's aggressive cost-cutting legacy, with plans to reclassify federal employees, advance sweeping deregulation efforts, and push Congress to approve President Trump's \$9.3 billion rescissions package. This package targets agencies like the State Department, USAID, NPR, and PBS institutions long criticised by Trump and his allies. A staunch advocate of shrinking government, Vought is expected to revive and expand Schedule F, an executive order allowing the president to strip job protections from thousands of federal workers. Trump originally signed the order during his first term, only to see it blocked by the Biden administration. The policy was reinstated in February and is now central to Vought's playbook for overhauling the federal workforce. However, Vought's rise has alarmed both Democrats and elements within the GOP. His authorship of Project 2025, a right-wing policy manifesto seen as a blueprint for dismantling key federal agencies has made him a divisive figure. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The document calls for the abolition of the Department of Homeland Security, cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and massive reductions in federal spending. Trump attempted to distance himself from the document during the 2024 campaign, but his continued reliance on Vought suggests alignment with its core tenets. Vought's approach to military spending has sparked friction even within Republican ranks. He has insisted that any increases come only through the reconciliation process rather than the annual budget, effectively capping defence funding at its current level of $892.6 billion. As WSJ noted, this has put him at odds with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and congressional Republicans who were counting on larger increases. While the Pentagon maintains that military funding will still rise, the lack of clarity has raised concerns among lawmakers. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi went so far as to accuse Vought's team of "doing silly math" in their budget proposals. Still, with Trump's backing, Vought is poised to become one of the most powerful unelected figures in Washington. Who is Russell Vought? Served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget under both Trump terms. Co-author of Project 2025, which proposes slashing federal programs and restructuring entire departments. Believes in limiting government growth and is a vocal critic of regulatory "bloat". Known for pushing budget reconciliation to manage spending increases, particularly in defence. Architect of Schedule F, aimed at replacing long-term federal employees with politically loyal staff. Will take over DOGE operations following Elon Musk's exit, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
