Government Shutdown & Project 2025 - The report discusses President Trump's apparent embrace of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint, despite previous denials [1][2][3][4] - The administration is considering agency cuts and potential mass firings of federal employees during the shutdown, led by budget chief Russell Vote [2][9][10] - Russell Vote is positioned to have significant influence over federal government priorities and funding decisions [9][10] - The White House views the President's power akin to that in foreign policy, suggesting he can act unilaterally [12] Political & Economic Implications - The administration is accused of politicizing the shutdown, targeting Democratic priorities and states [6][15][16][17] - The White House is using partisan messaging, potentially illegally, to blame Democrats for the shutdown [16][17] - The administration's actions, including potential layoffs and withholding billions of dollars in funding ($25 billion frozen) [14], could negatively impact the economy [20] - Polls suggest Republicans are being blamed for the shutdown, contrary to previous patterns [22][23] Strategic Considerations - The White House may be strategically using Russell Vote as a "bad cop" to implement unpopular measures [13] - The administration's approach to negotiations and funding agreements is being questioned, potentially undermining future deals [18][19] - The long-term impact of a full government shutdown, not seen since 2013, is still uncertain [26]

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]

Government Shutdown & Potential Firings - The report highlights the potential for mass firings of federal workers due to the government shutdown, initiated by the Trump administration [1] - The report emphasizes that there is no legal requirement to fire employees during a shutdown, and such dismissals have never occurred in the nation's history [2] Project 2025 & Russ Vought's Role - The report points out President Trump's apparent endorsement of Project 2025, despite previous claims of having no knowledge of it [3][4] - Russ Vought, described as "He of Project 2025 fame," is identified as a key figure in the shutdown, focusing on agencies and jobs for potential cuts [3][5] - The report suggests Vought has been planning to slash government spending for years, viewing it as a long-term goal [6][7] - Senator Mike Lee indicates that Vought has been preparing for this moment since puberty, aiming to empower Trump further [9] Potential Erosion of Checks and Balances - The report suggests that Vought's efforts are enabling Trump to exert authority more aggressively, potentially threatening the constitutional system's checks and balances [8]

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 ...

The man in the middle of President Trump's shutdown strategy, budget chief Russell Vote, has, as the Wall Street Journal put it, been planning for this moment for years. Vote was OM director for part of President Trump's first term. And after the 2020 election, he spent the next four years as a key architect of Project 2025, developing a plan to rein in the size and spending of the federal government.And the shutdown has given him a key opportunity to put that plan into action. Joining me now, Atlantic staf ...

Let's now bring in New York Times chief Washington correspondent Carl Hulse, the editor of The New Republic, Michael Tamasi, and co-host of The Weeknight right here on MSNBC, Simone Sanders Towns. And a great group to start us off this hour. Carl, starting with you.Uh, President Trump is spelling it all out for us right on Truth Social this morning. Two posts of note. First, an all cap screed saying once again repeating the false talking point about Democrats wanting to give healthcare money to illegal alie ...

[Music] New analysis today of the fallout from Charlie Kirk's killing and how the public's reaction may say it all. >> The Kirk assassination this week has held up a mirror on our country right now and it's not a pretty picture. Right. The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, just said on your air that he wonders whether or not this is the end of a dark period or another step toward an even darker period. and the reaction to what happened in the days after even the hours after the assassination indicates that it' ...

Paul Dans, former director of Project 2025, launched a Senate race against longtime incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., saying he wants to bring Project 2025’s controversial right-wing agenda to the Senate. (Photo: George Walker IV via Associated Press)https://t.co/tqVCyqgGXH https://t.co/kEoLXNWciW ...

Is Project 2025 Coming To The Senate? Ex-Director Challenges Lindsey Graham In South Carolinahttps://t.co/DcKVnZXuEX https://t.co/ecQhzbUUef ...