Even conservative senators should find Vought problematic. Senators are wary of presidential appointees who hold views outside the spectrum of the political mainstream, and Vought fits this definition neatly.

Trump named Vought, who played a central role in designing Project 2025, to head up the Office of Management and Budget in his second term.

President-elect Donald Trump has picked Russell Vought, a key architect of Project 2025 and defender of strong presidential powers, as OMB director.