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Trump’s Potential Pick for OMB: Russ Vought

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to appoint Russ Vought as the head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a role that places him at the heart of the administration’s fiscal and regulatory strategy. Vought, who previously served as OMB’s deputy director and then acting head during the Trump administration, is known for his pivotal role in shaping budgetary policies and workforce regulations.

Vought’s nomination is anticipated given his close ties to Trump’s first term, including his involvement in the controversial Schedule F initiative, which sought to make significant changes to federal workforce management. His leadership in crafting budget proposals aimed at scaling back non-defense agencies reflects a broader agenda geared towards reducing federal government size and influence.

In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Vought did not deny rumors of his OMB nomination, hinting at a potential return to the role. Although Brian Hughes, Trump’s transition spokesman, refrained from confirming this appointment, Vought articulated his visions for the federal workforce, including the potential for large-scale layoffs to facilitate agency contractions.

“There certainly is going to be mass layoffs and firings, particularly at some of the agencies that we don’t even think should exist,” Vought remarked in the interview.

During his previous tenure at OMB, Vought was instrumental in advancing Trump’s deregulatory agenda, notably by curtailing the ability of agencies to issue guidance without following formal rulemaking protocols. His time in office was marked by the historic federal government shutdown, where he took unprecedented measures to keep agencies operating amid budgetary impasses. Additionally, he oversaw significant efforts to eliminate diversity and inclusion initiatives in federal agencies, along with disciplinary threats against employees involved in such programs.

After exiting the White House, Vought became affiliated with the Center for Renewing America, where he has voiced concerns about the expansive power of federal civil servants. He has criticized federal workers for their perceived resistance to implementing Trump’s policies during the former president’s first term and has called for increased accountability measures to counteract this trend.

Vought’s potential appointment would continue a trend of involving key architects of Trump’s policies in the upcoming administration. He played a leading role in advocating for the immediate reinstatement of Schedule F, which sought to disband merit-based protections for a significant portion of the federal workforce. This initiative aimed to increase the president’s control over federal appointments and remove civil service protections from various agency workers.

Vought attempted to put the Schedule F plan into action, aiming to classify 88% of OMB under its provisions, permitting politically motivated dismissals. Despite the Biden administration’s swift reversal of this order, the groundwork laid by Vought could allow for its reimplementation if Trump returns to office.

Federal employee organizations have consistently opposed Schedule F, viewing it as a threat to job security within the government. Doreen Greenwald, a representative of the National Treasury Employees Union, recently stated, “It was obvious back then that Trump’s OMB tried to push Schedule F to the extreme, but now we know just how weak the rationale was.”

While the Biden administration has established regulations to hinder Schedule F’s implementation through the Office of Personnel Management, legislative attempts to permanently bar it have not gained traction in Congress. Some lawmakers have already expressed their support for efforts that would align with the Trump administration’s civil service reforms.

In addition to Schedule F, Trump has indicated plans to launch a Department of Government Efficiency, led by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk. This initiative aims to bring about substantial reductions in federal employment through layoffs and other separation incentives.

In his discussion with Carlson, Vought articulated a belief that federal employees generally resist political oversight and disparaged them as part of an “administrative state” that undermines effective governance. He underscored the urgency for appointees to become proficient in management strategies that could facilitate dramatic cuts to the federal workforce.

Reflecting on his past remarks, Vought indicated a desire to impose significant pressure on federal employees, stating, “We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected.” This approach suggests an intention to cultivate a workforce that aligns more closely with the administration’s objectives.

Ultimately, Vought emphasized a need for swift action to dismantle bureaucratic structures, advocating for a “radical constitutional perspective.” Trump’s administration could potentially pursue strategies that prioritize discretion in federal appropriations and reclassify federal employees to serve at the president’s will. Vought’s controversial views on the federal workforce indicate a clear intention to reshape the administrative landscape if he returns to OMB.

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