Trump appoints Russell Vought as budget director, signals ties to Project 2025

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Russell Vought, a key figure in Project 2025, as director of the Office of Management and Budget. This move comes despite Trump's earlier disavowal of the project's extreme policy agenda. Trump's transition team is also considering other appointees linked to Project 2025, including Gene Hamilton for a legal role in the Justice Department and Reed Rubinstein for general counsel at the Treasury Department. These appointments suggest a shift in Trump's stance on the project. Project 2025 advocates for significant changes in government, including eliminating certain agencies and replacing career civil servants with political appointees. While Trump previously distanced himself from the project, his recent choices indicate a potential alignment with its proposals.