General Discussion

The White House budget director could have a prime opportunity to further execute on his small-government ideology.

Paul Winfree, who served as Trump’s director of budget policy during his first term, called Vought’s threat a “brilliant” move.

During the last shutdown under Trump, which ended in early 2019, Vought served in an understudy role. Administration officials at the time sought to play down the impact on most Americans, Winfree noted.

“This time, Russ is putting the pain on the bureaucracy,” he said.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/26/russ-vought-shutdown-layoffs-00581412