Russell Vought

The Trump administration admitted in court documents that it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for 16 states that supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, contradicting claims that the projects were terminated for economic or energy-related reasons. The canceled projects included grid upgrades in Minnesota and North Dakota-Minnesota, with Democrats and environmental groups accusing the administration of politically motivated cuts.

The Trump administration's proposed rule could restrict international scientific collaboration, potentially excluding U.S. scientists from major discoveries like the 2012 Higgs boson detection. The rule would grant political appointees control over research funding and termination, risking U.S. leadership in global scientific efforts. University of Chicago professor David W. Miller warned this could force the U.S. to 'step aside' from future breakthroughs.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration misused a federal provision to revoke billions in approved grant funding due to shifting priorities, violating established guidelines. The decision supports 23 states and the District of Columbia, which argued the revocations were unlawful and threatened critical programs.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller stated the Trump administration is pursuing a policy to limit banking services for illegal immigrants, aiming to incentivize self-deportation. President Trump signed an executive order directing increased scrutiny of financial services for undocumented immigrants, though the order did not explicitly mandate banks to deny accounts but could make access more difficult.

Stephen Miller stated the Trump administration is pursuing a policy to restrict banking services for illegal immigrants to incentivize self-deportation. The administration directed banks and regulators to increase scrutiny of accounts involving undocumented immigrants, though the executive order did not explicitly mandate denying services. Federal agencies have issued guidance to assess credit risk for borrowers without legal work authorization.

Trump administration officials joined U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard to christen the T.S. Lone Star State, a new training vessel. The event highlighted efforts to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry, including a contract for the U.S.S. Golden Defender, part of the Pentagon’s anti-missile defense system. Officials credited President Trump’s executive order 'Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance' for driving the renewed activity.

The White House is encountering resistance over a proposal to subject grants to political review. Russell T. Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director, testified about this at a hearing in April.

A coalition of 23 Democratic governors and the governor of Guam submitted a joint comment opposing a U.S. Office of Management and Budget proposal to overhaul federal grantmaking rules, arguing it could harm programs related to maternal health and reproductive care. The proposed rule, which includes political appointees in grant reviews, has drawn over 278,000 public comments and is set for final adoption by October 1.

A coalition of 23 state governors and Guam's governor submitted a joint comment opposing a proposed U.S. Office of Management and Budget rule that would overhaul federal grantmaking, arguing it could harm maternal health and reproductive care programs by allowing political termination of grants. The proposed rule emphasizes aligning grants with presidential priorities and includes changes to oversight and decision-making processes.

The Trump administration's FY 2026 supplemental request includes $87.6 billion for the Iran War (Operation Epic Fury), with $768 million allocated to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for activities aimed at terminating Iran's nuclear program. The Senate Armed Services Committee is set to question Jules W. Hurst III, a nominee for Under Secretary of Defense, about these funding details.

Democratic governors and the governor of Guam submitted a joint comment opposing a U.S. Office of Management and Budget proposal to overhaul federal grantmaking rules, arguing it could harm maternal health and reproductive care programs. The proposed rule would allow senior political appointees to influence grant reviews to align with presidential priorities, which critics say could lead to unilateral termination of grants based on political considerations.

Democratic governors and the governor of Guam submitted a joint comment opposing a proposed U.S. Office of Management and Budget rule that would overhaul federal grantmaking processes, arguing it threatens maternal health and reproductive care programs. The rule, which allows political appointees to influence grant decisions and criticizes past 'woke' policies, faces criticism for enabling unilateral grant terminations based on political considerations.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) called on the Trump administration to withdraw parts of a controversial proposed grant rule, joining opposition to a new proposal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Collins sent a letter to OMB Director Russell Vought requesting the agency to rescind portions of the changes.

The Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is dissolving without an official report detailing its impact, despite claims of budget reductions and workforce changes. OMB Director Russell Vought stated no formal documentation of DOGE's accomplishments will be published, while critics question the accuracy of reported $215 billion in savings and the effects of over 260,000 federal employee departures.

A Democratic congressman requested the CFPB to investigate 'rent now, pay later' companies over concerns about hidden fees and consumer understanding. Rep. Maxwell Frost highlighted his personal debt struggles with similar services and urged accountability for potential violations of consumer financial laws.

A Democratic congressman urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate 'rent now, pay later' companies over concerns about hidden fees and consumer understanding. The letter highlights potential violations of federal laws and questions whether landlords are promoting these services to tenants.

White House budget director Russell Vought advocates for increased funding for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to modernize systems and expand staff, while the Trump administration's 2027 budget proposes cuts to multiple departments. OMB seeks $146.1 million, a 13.3% increase, and the defense budget is requested to rise to $1.5 trillion.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified before a U.S. House panel advocating for a 13.3% increase in the Office of Management and Budget's annual funding to $146.1 million, citing needs for technology upgrades and staff expansion. He also highlighted proposed cuts to domestic agencies like Agriculture and Health and Human Services, alongside a $1.5 trillion defense budget request.

Trump administration budget chief Russell Vought indicated openness to re-staffing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) following personnel cuts. CISA director Markwayne Mullin requested hiring 600 additional personnel, though Vought noted no formal request had been received and emphasized the complexity of federal hiring processes.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified that his agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), needs increased funding to update systems and hire more staff, while advocating for cuts to domestic agencies. The Trump administration's budget proposal includes a 10% reduction in domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion defense budget, affecting departments like Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Lawmakers questioned Vought about staffing reductions, including at the World Trade Center Health Program.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified before a U.S. House panel advocating for a 13.3% increase in funding for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to modernize systems and expand staff, while proposing cuts to domestic agencies like Agriculture and Health and Human Services. The Trump administration's 2027 budget requests a $1.5 trillion defense budget and a 10% reduction in non-defense spending.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified that his agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), requires increased funding to address staffing and technological needs, despite not fully utilizing a prior $100 million allocation. The Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget proposes a 10% cut to domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion defense budget, impacting agencies like Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and the World Trade Center Health Program.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified that his agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), requires increased funding to update systems and expand staff, despite having unspent funds from a previous Republican-approved law. The Trump administration’s 2027 budget proposal includes a 10% cut to domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion defense budget increase, affecting agencies like Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and the World Trade Center Health Program.

White House budget director Russell Vought is requesting a 13.3% budget increase for the Office of Management and Budget to fund technology upgrades and address staffing needs, despite having unspent funds from a previous Republican-approved law. The Trump administration's fiscal 2027 budget proposes cutting domestic spending by 10% and increasing defense spending to $1.5 trillion, affecting agencies like Agriculture and Health and Human Services.

President Donald Trump's administration has reduced funding for health and science research through administrative actions. A proposed rule would grant GOP political appointees significant control over federal research funding, prompting concerns from Maryland's biomedical community and Rep. Jamie Raskin, who called the move 'disastrous and likely unlawful.'

President Donald Trump refused to sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering housing costs and restricting corporate buyers. The USPS plans to delay mail-in ballot delivery in non-compliant states, while a federal judge blocked Trump's executive order to create a federal voting list. Stephen Miller faces scrutiny over FBI documents, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's mass layoffs were temporarily halted.

The White House requested $87.6 billion in supplemental spending for the Iran war and farm aid. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought asked House Speaker Mike Johnson for additional funding for the Iran war.

The US Department of Defense requires $80 billion to cover costs related to the Iran war and other expenses, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. A supplemental request including defense and non-defense priorities may be sent to lawmakers soon, though the Pentagon warns of potential operational cuts if Congress does not approve funding.

The U.S. Department of Defense requested $80 billion to cover costs related to the Iran war and other expenses, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. A supplemental request including non-defense priorities like farm and disaster relief may follow, amid opposition to an initial $200 billion funding proposal.

The Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget proposed a regulation to shift control of public science funding from scientists to political appointees, aligning with the unitary-executive theory that expands presidential power. This move challenges the longstanding principle that scientific judgment should not be influenced by political pressures.

President Donald Trump has selected Brian Johnson to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who previously served as deputy director under Kathy Kraninger. Confirmation by the Senate is required, with the bureau having been led by acting director Russell Vought since Trump's return to office.

Senate Democrats plan to force votes on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rollbacks, targeting vulnerable Republicans in an election year. The move is led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, who proposed the creation of the CFPB in 2007. The votes aim to highlight the dismantling of the agency under the Trump administration.

Retail traders faced losses from April’s chip market volatility, while the Trump administration withheld $2 billion in transportation funds for Chicago’s Red and Purple Modernization project, using the shutdown to reduce federal spending.

The Trump administration plans to reduce Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for disabled adults living with family members, potentially cutting payments by up to a third. The proposed rule would deduct the value of a disabled individual’s bedroom from their SSI allotment, even if their family is poor enough to qualify for food stamps. This policy targets individuals like Shy’tyra Burton, a 22-year-old with severe disabilities who relies on SSI and lives with her father.

Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, refused to provide senators with an estimated cost of military operations against Iran during a hearing. He mentioned the White House is preparing a defense funding request but did not disclose specific figures.

White House Budget Director Russell Vought informed senators that the administration is still finalizing a funding request for the military conflict with Iran, which could cost over $10 billion weekly. The request is expected to be presented to Congress, though no timeline was provided.

White House OMB Director Russell Vought stated at a Budget Committee hearing that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is 'disintegrating' due to Congress failing to fund the department since its appropriations lapsed on Feb. 14. He described the situation at DHS as 'dire' as the funding lapse worsens.

President Trump's budget director, Russell Vought, testified about a plan to significantly increase U.S. military spending to $1.5 trillion, requiring substantial upfront investment. The proposal faces criticism for cutting domestic programs by 10%, highlighting political divisions ahead of midterms.