Overview

• Trump said he would meet OMB Director Russ Vought on Thursday to weigh cutting what he called “Democrat Agencies,” noting the reductions could be temporary or permanent.
• Vought has already halted roughly $18 billion for New York infrastructure projects and announced cancellation of about $8 billion in climate-related funding across 16 Democratic-voting states.
• An OMB memo directed agencies to consider Reduction in Force notices for programs losing discretionary funds, and Vought told Republicans layoffs could begin within days, according to CBS News.
• Policy groups and legal analysts argue a shutdown grants no new authority to eliminate agencies or conduct permanent RIFs, pointing to statutory limits and longstanding OPM precedent.
• The moves revive scrutiny of Trump’s past denials of ties to Project 2025 as Democrats condemn political targeting and some Republicans warn aggressive executive actions could backfire.