President Trump is wielding the current government shutdown as a battering ram to overhaul the federal bureaucracy. His latest moves signal a bold push for executive dominance that could redefine Washington’s balance of power.
According to Axios, Trump met with White House budget chief Russ Vought on Thursday to pinpoint which agencies, often labeled as Democrat-friendly, should face steep cuts. This shutdown, far from a setback, is being framed as a golden opportunity to trim a workforce Trump has long seen as a thorn in his side.
Vought, a key architect of the controversial Project 2025 plan for expanding presidential authority, is using this crisis as a real-world experiment. Trump openly touted Vought’s role in the initiative, despite earlier distancing himself from it during the campaign when it became politically toxic.
Vought has already slashed nearly $8 billion in clean-energy funding across 16 states, all of which backed Kamala Harris in the last election and boast Democratic senators. This isn’t just budget trimming; it’s a calculated jab at political opponents.
He’s also halted $18 billion in infrastructure projects for New York City, a clear shot across the bow at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats. Legal battles loom, as Congress holds the purse strings, and some federal insiders warn these moves might breach appropriations law.
Still, the administration seems undeterred, casting the shutdown as a chance to purge what they see as entrenched opposition within the government. It’s a risky play, but one that aligns with a broader strategy of consolidation.
Trump’s reach extends beyond budgets, as seen in his unprecedented address to over 800 military leaders this week, urging them to view American cities as battlegrounds for a domestic “war” against undefined enemies. This rhetoric raises eyebrows about the militarization of internal policy.
In academia, the administration is pushing a 10-point “compact” for universities, tying federal funding to demands like tuition freezes, strict gender definitions, and limits on international students. It’s a heavy-handed attempt to enforce ideological conformity under the guise of protecting free speech.
These moves aren’t about fostering debate; they’re about bending institutions to a specific vision. If schools comply, they get the cash; if not, they’re left out in the cold.
Trump’s influence over the Justice Department is equally stark, with the indictment of former FBI director James Comey following public pressure on Attorney General Pam Bondi to target political rivals. Investigations into figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff only deepen concerns about weaponized law enforcement.
Even civil society isn’t spared, as FBI director Kash Patel cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League, accusing it of acting like a “terrorist organization” after a dispute over a now-removed glossary listing a conservative group. Trump’s call to probe George Soros’ Open Society Foundations further signals a clampdown on liberal-leaning organizations.
Corporate America feels the heat too, with Trump demanding Microsoft fire a top executive for past Biden administration ties. While he eased off a similar demand on Intel after a government equity stake, the message is clear: no sector is beyond reach.
White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s stance, stating, “Any lapse in funding, this one brought on by the Democrats, unfortunately requires the Administration to make tough decisions to keep mandatory government functions operational.” Yet, government websites blaming “the radical left” for the shutdown flirt with rules barring partisan activity by federal agencies.
The bottom line is that Trump isn’t just navigating a shutdown; he’s exploiting it to dismantle checks on executive power. Institutions once seen as independent are being reshaped to align with a singular vision, raising questions about the future of governance.
This isn’t merely a political spat; it’s a methodical effort to centralize control, using every lever at hand. While Democrats cry foul, the administration presses on, betting that short-term chaos will yield long-term dominance over a recalibrated federal landscape.
