Government Shutdown & Executive Power - The Trump administration, guided by figures like Russ Vote, views government shutdowns as opportunities to expand executive power, a strategy reminiscent of Project 2025 [1][2][7][22] - The administration is willing to leverage the shutdown to cut funding for projects, especially in Democratic-leaning states, even if the legal authority to do so is questionable [3][6][13] - This approach differs from past shutdowns, where the focus was on fiscal responsibility; now, the administration openly aims to harm political opponents and consolidate power [18][19] - The administration sees the shutdown as a "win-win" situation, either by forcing Democrats to concede or by advancing the agenda of reducing government and expanding executive authority [24][25][26] Political Strategy & Potential Repercussions - Democrats are framing the shutdown around healthcare, highlighting potential premium increases and loss of coverage, which resonates with a majority of Americans [11][12] - Republicans risk alienating voters in swing districts within blue states if they aggressively cut funding, potentially jeopardizing their chances in midterm elections [13][14][15] - Some Republicans recognize the risk of overreach and are wary of the administration's aggressive tactics [15][17] - The public's perception of government shutdowns has evolved, and it's unclear whether voters will punish either party at the polls [28] - Democrats' strategy of focusing on healthcare could backfire if Republicans offer a deal on healthcare subsidies, potentially removing a key issue for Democrats in the midterms [20][21][29]

Political Landscape - The government shutdown is in its third day [1] - President Trump seems to be aligning with Project 2025 [1]

Project 2025 & Government Shutdown - Project 2025 is a conservative blueprint embraced by President Trump, aiming for a significant overhaul of the federal government [1][2] - Russell Vote, identified as of Project 2025 fame, plans mass firings at the federal level [1] - The White House sees the shutdown as an opportunity to gut the bureaucracy and expand presidential powers [7] Political Strategy & Executive Power - Trump views the shutdown as an opportunity to cut massive amounts from the federal government and hurt federal workers [11] - Trump aims to expand executive authority, leveraging the shutdown to achieve this goal [12][20] - Trump's strategy involves aggressively pushing for cuts, daring opponents to stop him [20] Potential Consequences & Concerns - Mass firings could have significant human costs and put pressure on Democrats [18] - There are concerns about the political vulnerability of pursuing this agenda leading into the midterms [15] - Republican members of Congress may be hurt by the actions of Trump and Vote [16]

Forget Elon Musk. Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought is trying to use the crisis to fire more federal employees https://t.co/2WzZ6auGiP ...

Project 25. He's involved in project. And then they read some of the things and they are extreme.I mean, they're seriously extreme. But I don't know anything about it. I don't want to know anything about it.I have nothing to do, as you know, and as she knows better than anyone, I have nothing to do with Project 2025. Uh, that's out there. I haven't read it. I don't want to read it purposely. I'm not going to read it.>> They keep talking about uh Project 2025. And I said, I don't know about it. I don't know. ...

Let's talk about what's going to happen now as this rolls along. President Trump appears now to be openly embracing the conservative blueprint project 2020 2025. Remember that from last year amid the government shutdown despite distancing himself from that during the 2024 campaign.In a social media post yesterday, the president announced he would be meeting with his budget chief, Russell Vote, identifying him as of Project 2025 fame to discuss agency cuts amid the shutdown. vote told House Republicans on a ...

Government Shutdown & Political Stance - The government shutdown is in its third day with no resolution in sight, as Republicans and Democrats blame each other [1] - Senate Majority Leader believes negotiations with Democrats are futile and accuses them of "playing with fire" [2][5] - Democrats claim Republicans are pushing false narratives about providing free healthcare to illegal immigrants to justify the shutdown [6] - Democrats are advocating for the extension of tax credits for Affordable Care Act insurance and reversal of Medicaid cuts [9][10] - Polls suggest Americans are blaming Trump and Republicans for the shutdown [6][14] Potential Impact & Future Outlook - The shutdown could last for at least a week, potentially extending to the end of the month, impacting federal workers [1][16] - Permanent federal layoffs are being considered by the Trump administration due to the shutdown [5] - A potential bipartisan deal on Affordable Care Act subsidies is being discussed [18][26] - Trump is embracing Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for overhauling the federal government, despite previously distancing himself from it [19][20][21] - The House Speaker hinted at expecting the Senate to send something back to the House, suggesting a potential shift in Republican strategy [26][27]

And it is day 256 of the second Trump administration and day two of the second government shutdown under Donald Trump. Today the president was set to meet with Russ Vote, director of the office of management and budget. They have both said they will likely begin mass firings of federal workers very soon because of the shutdown.But it's important to note there is no legal requirement that the government fire employees during a shutdown. And so far in our nation's history, no such dismissals have ever taken p ...

I think if you go back to earlier this year, there was a lot of internal push back that Republican members of Congress, they wouldn't wouldn't stand for their pet projects or infrastructure projects in their districts not moving forward because a guy named Russ Vote decided that they weren't going to move forward. But look where we are today. Speaker Johnson took the microphone and I was intently listening and what did he say about this.He was very explicit saying that vote has to decide which services are ...

This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy. When President Trump came into office this year, Elon Musk was his chainsaw in charge of trimming the perceived fat of government through Doge. People voted for for major government reform and that's what people are going to get.But after months of heavy critique, protest and skydiving Tesla stocks, Musk stepped back. But while he was making noise out in the spotlight, Trump's main budget chief, the man who really holds super strings for the White House, quietly worked ...