President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he plans to discuss potential cuts to certain government agencies during the ongoing government shutdown. This announcement comes after the Senate failed to pass a temporary funding bill, leading to the shutdown that began on Wednesday.
Trump mentioned that he would meet with Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to identify which agencies he believes are unnecessary and should be cut. In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to these agencies as “political SCAMs” and expressed disbelief that the Democrats had given him this opportunity. He suggested that this could be a chance to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
The shutdown has prompted Trump to urge Republicans to use this moment to eliminate what he calls “dead wood, waste, and fraud,” claiming that significant savings could be achieved. Vought has already begun suspending or canceling billions in federal funding, including nearly $8 billion related to what Trump called the “Green New Scam,” which he associates with climate initiatives.
The Department of Energy announced the termination of 321 financial awards worth $7.65 billion, stating that these projects were not economically viable and would not benefit taxpayers. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the need to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that funding is directed toward projects that genuinely serve American interests.
Additionally, Vought announced a freeze on $18 billion allocated for infrastructure projects in New York, which has drawn criticism from local Democratic leaders, including Senator Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the difficulties posed by the government shutdown and confirmed that Vought is reviewing the federal budget during this time. She noted that the government is currently not receiving any funds, underscoring the impact of the shutdown on federal operations.
