President Trump announced he would meet with Office and Management Budget Director Russell Vought on Thursday to explore what he described as a “unique chance” to evaluate recommendations for budget reductions and dismissals within federal agencies.
Trump explained that the meeting aims to decide which Democratic-led agencies, many of which he labeled as political scams, should face cuts and whether these reductions should be temporary or long-lasting.
“I’m amazed the Radical Left Democrats provided me with this unique opportunity. They aren’t foolish, so perhaps this is their discreet way of trying to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he shared on Truth Social.
He called on Republicans to use the government shutdown to clear out what is no longer useful in the federal government, calling it “dead wood.”
Trump further expressed on Truth Social late Wednesday that, “Republicans must seize this Democrat-enforced closure opportunity to eliminate unneeded elements, waste, and corruption. This could save billions of dollars. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The White House has embraced the government shutdown and said layoffs of federal workers will be in the coming days.
On Tuesday, Trump hinted that during any potential government shutdown, his administration might consider program cuts. His budget office directed agencies last week to prepare for significant layoffs through a memo.
When asked about the memo, Trump told One America News, “there could be firings, and that’s their fault,” blaming the Democrats.
“There could be additional measures as well. For instance, we might eliminate favored projects permanently,” Trump stated. “I have the authority to discontinue initiatives that should have never been approved, and I will likely take such action.”
Vought announced Wednesday plans to cut billions in funding in transportation projects in New York City and energy projects in 16 mostly Democratic-led states.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had “walked right into” a trap by allowing the government to shut down.
“He’s handed President Trump the keys to the kingdom,” Johnson said on “The Moon Griffon Show,” adding that the shutdown could allow Republicans and the White House to “eliminate bloated, unnecessary federal programs that we would like to vote down, but we never had the votes in the Senate to do. Now we have the moment.”
