Democrats Accuse Trump Budget Chief Pick Of Dodging Questions About White House Power

Democratic senators expressed frustration on Wednesday during the confirmation hearing for Russell Vought, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The hearing focused on Vought's views on presidential authority and his responses left many lawmakers dissatisfied.

If confirmed, Vought would oversee federal spending and coordinate agency policies. He previously served as OMB director during Trump’s last two years in office and gained prominence as the architect of "Project 2025," a Heritage Foundation blueprint for right-wing policy in the incoming administration.

Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, criticized Vought’s evasive answers. “You’re very skilled at bureaucratic responses, which is why people are frustrated with bureaucrats,” Peters said.

Vought’s responses addressed concerns about his role in advancing contentious Trump administration goals, such as challenging the 1974 Impoundment Control Act—which prohibits withholding funds approved by Congress—and potentially reclassifying federal jobs to increase political appointments, a move critics liken to the 19th-century spoils system.

When Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) questioned whether Vought supported placing political appointees in intelligence and law enforcement agencies, he deflected, noting Trump’s lack of a formal stance. Slotkin pressed further on the allocation of congressionally approved funds, but Vought responded vaguely, citing the administration’s policy process.

“You claim to be a disruptor, but your answers are deeply technical,” Slotkin said, cutting him off. Peters called Vought’s reluctance to elaborate on the president’s authority to withhold funds “very troubling.”

Progressive advocacy group Indivisible criticized Senate Democrats for not pressing harder. “Democrats should have dismantled his credibility,” said Sarah Dohl, Indivisible’s chief campaigns officer. “They need to expose how Trump is already breaking major campaign promises.”

Vought did offer clear opinions on some issues, stating his belief that the 1974 law banning impoundment is unconstitutional. He accused agencies like the Department of Justice and the FBI of being “weaponized” against Trump, alleging they sought to undermine the former president.

Vought is scheduled for a second confirmation hearing before the Senate Budget Committee on January 22.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.