Much has been said about “Project 2025” during Donald Trump’s campaign. This roadmap, more or less official, is at the heart of numerous controversies due to its very conservative positions. Although Trump has denied any direct affiliation with this project, he has just named one of its main authors, Russell Vought, to the strategic position of director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of his future administration, according to a post on TruthSocial.
A strategic choice for a goal: “America First”
Trump's choice to appoint Russell Vought to head the OMB reflects a desire to extend his deregulatory priorities. Russell Vought, who previously held this position during Donald Trump's first term, is recognized for his role in reducing federal power and simplifying the bureaucracy. Under his leadership, the OMB established a simple principle: “For every new regulation, four were eliminated.” An approach that aimed to streamline federal bureaucracy, in line with Trump's conservative agenda, which then sought to limit state intervention in the lives of Americans.
An example of this policy is the revision of the rules on air pollution. During Trump's first term, Vought oversaw the removal or modification of several environmental regulations deemed too restrictive for businesses. This includes reducing regulations on CO2 emissions as well as relaxing energy efficiency standards for appliances, with a view to promoting a freer market.
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Russell Vought committed against the “Deep State”
The lead author of “Project 2025” is also known for his strong stance against what he calls the “Deep State” – a term used by Trump to refer to parts of the federal administration that he perceives as too powerful and opposed to his policies. Vought shares this vision and presents itself as a defender of reducing public spending, particularly by reducing programs deemed ineffective.
During his previous tenure at OMB, for example, he sought to reduce the budgets of federal agencies while restoring strict fiscal discipline, a key “America First” objective of the administration. An appointment which therefore underlines Trump's intention to continue to dismantle the administrative state while limiting public spending.
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A man with conservative and Christian beliefs
Russell Vought, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a man deeply influenced by his Christian and conservative roots. Married to Leslie Vought, he is the father of three children. A graduate of Wheaton College and Washington University School of Law, he previously held several high-profile positions in the Trump administration. It is in this context that he distinguished himself by his defense of “pro-life” policies and his firm stance against abortion, but also for his promotion of traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Convictions which are also at the heart of “Project 2025”.
After Donald Trump's first term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America (CRA), a non-profit organization that played an essential role in the creation of “Project 2025”. Vought contributed significantly to this. His reputation as a political strategist was further cemented when he was filmed discussing his plans for the first 180 days of a new Trump administration, underscoring his influence on the broad policy directions of the conservative movement as reported the CNN channel.
