“Trump’s Agenda Is the Project 2025 Manifesto”: Nomination of Russell Vought Sparks Social Security and Medicare Concerns
Russell Vought, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, arrives to testify during the House Budget Committee hearing on Donald Trump’s fiscal 2021 budget request on Feb. 12, 2020. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has raised alarms about the future of Social Security, Medicare, and other essential federal programs. Vought, a central architect of the controversial Project 2025 agenda, served as OMB director during Trump’s first term and is set to return to the role.
Critics argue that Vought’s appointment signals alignment between Trump’s administration and the goals of Project 2025, a far-right initiative advocating sweeping changes to federal programs. Vought, who currently leads the Center for Renewing America, has been a vocal proponent of aggressive federal spending cuts.
“With the architect of Project 2025 nominated to lead Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, there can be no distinction between the two,” said Tony Carrk, executive director of the watchdog group Accountable The US. Despite Trump’s 2024 campaign promises to protect Social Security and Medicare, Vought’s record tells a different story.
During his first tenure at OMB, he spearheaded budget proposals that included cuts to these programs. Carrick emphasized, “Vought oversaw every budget in the first Trump administration that cut Social Security and Medicare. This much is clear: Social Security and Medicare are at risk in the second Trump presidency.”
Vought has also faced scrutiny for his involvement in Project 2025’s policy document, which advocates for controversial measures like raising the retirement age, effectively cutting Social Security benefits, and shifting Medicare enrollment toward privatized Medicare Advantage plans. Critics warn these changes would benefit insurance companies at the expense of seniors.
The nomination aligns Vought with other key figures in Trump’s incoming administration, such as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are part of a “government efficiency” commission. Vought is also reported to favor impoundment strategies, which challenge Congress’s authority over federal spending. Democratic lawmakers have criticized this approach as unconstitutional.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, stated, “Vought is deeply confused about this and many other points about the Constitution and the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.” DeLauro further condemned Trump’s distancing from Project 2025, saying, “While Trump distanced himself from Project 2025.
Vought’s nomination makes it crystal clear that Trump lied to the American people. Trump’s agenda is the Project 2025 manifesto.” As Vought’s nomination advances, concerns are mounting over its implications for vital social programs and the broader Republican strategy to reshape federal spending.
