The federal shutdown may have unintended consequences for Democratic politicians. According to leaders within the GOP, Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is prepared to use the shutdown as an opportunity to make cuts and shrink the federal workforce.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, pointed out on social media that Vought has thoroughly planned for such a scenario. Vought issued a memo last week warning that mass layoffs would occur in the event of a government shutdown.
“Democrats shut down the government to extort more money from American families,” Sen. Lee said. “They don’t understand OMB Director @russvought has been dreaming of this moment since puberty.”
In another post, Sen. Lee indicated the Trump administration would be able to use the shutdown to its advantage and that Democratic politicians might regret the outcome.
“This is going to empower Trump—and the American people,” Sen. Lee said. “This is going to be the Democrats’ worst nightmare.”
During a shutdown, the administration has the authority to reclassify personnel as either essential or non-essential. Speaking to Newsmax, Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, said this power will give President Trump the chance to “rightsize” the government.
On Thursday, President Trump echoed Sen. Lee’s comments about Vought in his own post on Truth Social. Trump said he would meet with Vought to discuss options for reducing the size of the federal government.
“I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent,” President Trump said.
Trump continued to blast the Democrats for their flawed strategy and joked that they may be instigating a shutdown to help him establish a more efficient government.
“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” President Trump said. “They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT.”