Trump Plans Meeting to Discuss Federal Cuts Amid Shutdowns
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced he will meet with Russ Vought, Director of Management and Budget and a key figure behind Project 2025, to explore federal agencies that might face budget cuts as government shutdowns persist.
In a post, Trump remarked, “About the true society that he meets Vought to determine which of the many Democratic institutions is political fraud, he recommends cuts and whether those cuts are temporary or permanent.” He expressed disbelief that radical left-wing Democrats have given him this “unprecedented opportunity,” suggesting that they are indirectly helping him on his mission to make America great again.
This announcement comes as Trump and Vought push for significant reductions in federal operations during a shutdown led by Democrats. Earlier, Vought disclosed the cancellation of nearly $8 billion in federal green energy projects, particularly affecting states like California, Colorado, Illinois, and New York. Additionally, major infrastructure projects in New York City, including the Hudson Tunnel Project and the Second Avenue Subway, were placed on hold while contract practices are reviewed.
Vought has been instrumental in restructuring federal operations. Following his August appointment, Marco Rubio, as acting secretary of state and national security adviser, will oversee the closure of the US International Development Agency (USAID). This action came after Congress approved a $9 billion package that cut funding for USAID, PBS, and NPR. Rubio pointed out that the restructuring aimed to transfer essential functions to the State Department, while Vought confirmed plans to finalize USAID’s closure.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration is implementing what might be the largest workforce reduction in decades. Over 154,000 bureaucrats have officially left their positions this week, part of a broader initiative that is expected to trim the federal workforce by more than 300,000 by year-end. While key services like the military and Social Security remain unaffected, these cuts target various programs and agencies that Trump believes do not align with his America-first agenda.
Trump has characterized this closure phase as a strategic opportunity to make “irreversible” cuts to preferred Democratic programs. He cautioned that Democrats are risking significant consequences by pushing for shutdowns, as the budget cuts enacted during these periods could end up being permanent.
