In a striking escalation of fiscal brinkmanship, former President Donald J. Trump has declared the looming federal government shutdown an “unprecedented opportunity” to slash funding for what he called “Democrat agencies”—a move that could reshape the federal bureaucracy if he returns to the White House.
Shutdown as a Weapon for Deep Cuts
According to internal discussions reported by The New York Times, Trump plans to meet with Russell Vought, his former budget director and a key architect of hardline conservative fiscal policy, to draft a sweeping plan targeting agencies associated with climate action, social services, and civil rights enforcement.
“He sees the chaos of a shutdown not as a crisis, but as leverage,” said one adviser familiar with the strategy. “His goal is to force a reset—cutting entire departments down to the bone or eliminating them outright.”
Agencies Reportedly in Trump’s Crosshairs
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Potential 70% budget reduction
- Department of Education – Long-standing target for elimination
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – Labeled “anti-business” by allies
- Office of Civil Rights (within HHS) – Criticized for “woke enforcement”
The Vought Connection: Blueprint for a ‘Unitary Executive’
Russell Vought, now president of the Center for Renewing America, has long advocated for the “unitary executive theory”—a doctrine that concentrates power in the presidency and minimizes independent federal agencies. His 2020 “Schedule F” executive order, later rescinded by President Biden, sought to reclassify tens of thousands of civil servants as political appointees, making them easier to fire.
Trump’s new plan appears to revive and expand that vision, using a shutdown as political cover to fast-track structural overhauls.
Trump’s Proposed Cuts vs. Current Federal Spending
| Agency | 2025 Budget (Est.) | Proposed Trump Cut | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA | $10.2 billion | –70% | Environmental regulation & climate research |
| Department of Education | $89 billion | Eliminate | Federal education policy & student aid |
| CFPB | $700 million | –90% | Consumer financial protections |
| HHS Civil Rights Office | $120 million | –100% (defund) | Enforces anti-discrimination in health care |
[INTERNAL_LINK:U.S. Government Shutdown] analysts warn that such cuts—should Trump win the 2026 election and push them through a Republican Congress—could cripple regulatory oversight, weaken civil rights enforcement, and accelerate climate deregulation.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
Democrats have condemned the plan as “government sabotage,” while even some moderate Republicans express concern about the scale of proposed eliminations. Polls show a majority of Americans oppose eliminating the Department of Education or gutting the EPA, though support for “reducing bureaucracy” remains popular among the GOP base.
