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Trump's Grim Reaper - from Project 2025 to shutdown enforcer

October 3, 2025

President Trump is using the government shutdown as an opportunity to implement deep budget cuts to what he calls "Democrat agencies," potentially guided by Project 2025 principles. He has positioned Russ Vought, his Office of Management and Budget director, as the key figure in determining which programs to reduce or eliminate. Trump, who previously distanced himself from Project 2025 during his campaign, now appears to be embracing aspects of the conservative blueprint as leverage against Democrats in budget negotiations.

Who is affected

  • Federal government employees and agencies facing potential cuts
  • Recipients of federal programs that may be reduced or eliminated
  • Democratic-leaning states where infrastructure projects have been put on hold
  • Beneficiaries of nearly $8 billion in clean energy projects across 16 states that voted for Harris
  • New York City and Chicago residents affected by halted infrastructure projects
  • Government services impacted by the shutdown

What action is being taken

  • Trump is meeting with Vought to determine which "Democrat agencies" to cut
  • Vought is reviewing federal programs for potential reduction or elimination during the shutdown
  • The White House has halted major infrastructure projects in New York City and Chicago
  • The administration has cancelled nearly $8 billion in clean energy projects across 16 states
  • Republican leaders in Congress are positioning Vought as the "White House heavy" in budget negotiations
  • Democrats and federal worker unions are promising to fight these reductions in court

Why it matters

  • The shutdown creates a legal grey area with fewer budgetary restrictions, allowing deeper cuts
  • Unlike normal operations, the administration can potentially make more lasting reductions
  • The cuts align with Project 2025's goals of dramatically reducing federal government size
  • The administration's approach could shift public perception of who's responsible for the shutdown
  • The aggressive cuts may affect Trump's approval ratings, as previous Doge-led reductions were unpopular
  • Some Republicans worry the administration's apparent celebration of cuts could undermine their messaging
  • The situation represents a significant test of executive power during a government shutdown

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC