The US Senate confirmed that Russell was on Thursday with a ncorn as director of the White House Management and Budget Office (OMB).
Vought was approved by a 53-47 vote despite opposition from Democrats. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called him “one of the most fringed and difficult individuals the Senate has seen in such a long time.”
Thursday night’s vote followed a marathon effort to block the nomination, during which they held Senate floors day and night. They warned that Vought is Trump’s “most dangerous candidate.”
“We will see the most extreme candidates for Washington’s most important institutions with the most extreme candidates,” Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer said in his floor speech. “A triple header disaster for hardworking Americans.”
Vought previously held the same position during President Donald Trump’s first term. At that time, he issued a memo banning taxpayer funds that would be used for anti-racism training. Trump continued to support that policy during his second term.
Vought was already a key figure in Trump’s push to rebuild the federal government as one of the architects of Project 2025, the conservative plan for Trump’s second term.
Vought will take office after debate over last week’s OMB order has halted federal loans, grants and other assistance.
After the order was issued, OMB issued a notice that the freeze was “revoked.” However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that the order was still in effect and that only the Budget Office memo had been withdrawn.
A US district judge temporarily blocked a freeze on spending last week and extended the ruling on Monday. The judge said the plaintiffs showed they would suffer “irreparable harm” if the order was in effect.
Democrats claim that Trump is overestimating his authority by trying to stop spending what Congress already approved. Congress controls the US budget.
