The Political Scene | The New Yorker How Russell Vought Broke the U.S. Government
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Oct 4, 2025 The discussion delves into Russell Vought's pivotal role during the government shutdown. Vought, known for his Christian nationalist views, threatens to lay off federal workers and withhold funds from Democratic states. The panel explores how his background as an architect of Project 2025 informs his aggressive tactics. They also examine the implications of using budgetary power as a political weapon, leading to what they term 'partitioning' America. The conversation raises questions about the potential political ramifications of these divisive strategies.
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Wants Public Servants To 'Feel The Trauma'
- Vought explicitly said he wanted federal employees to 'feel the trauma' so they would not want to work.
- That line illustrates the deliberate aim to demoralize civil servants rather than merely pause funding.
Executive Faits Accomplis Became Strategy
- Russell Vought learned in Trump 1.0 that the executive can create faits accomplis faster than Congress or courts can respond.
- That lesson shaped aggressive use of emergency powers and shutdown tactics in Trump 2.0.
Fiscal Partitioning Targets Blue States
- Vought has used the shutdown to withhold appropriated funds from Democratic states and projects like New York's tunnels.
- That tactic effectively 'partitions' fiscal benefits along partisan lines, targeting regions that opposed Trump.