I am against the methods and abuse of power. But I struggle to disagree with:
"Vought implores his readers to fully grasp the severity of the situation: “the hour is late, and time is of the essence.” The “woke and weaponized” leftist regime “is now increasingly arrayed against the American people,” treating patriotic parents as “domestic terrorists” and “putting political opponents in jail.”"
So as much as I can appreciate that you (rightfully) denounce Vought's proposals, what alternative solutions do you offer? I have not voted for Trump in 3 elections now - but neither have I voted for any of the Dems (in fact, I have left my vote for POTUS blank in these last 2 elections) because as an organised PARTY, I think it (the D party) is very much the enemy of America and American ideals - and it is impossible not to be elated that they have been rejected (even if I don't like Trump). You can and will gain plenty of "likes" from your readers any time you attack Trump (as you did during the run up to the election), but where are your proposed solutions? Just saying "Don't vote for Trump" (and now "See how bad Trump is?") over and over is getting a bit old if you can't offer alternatives / proposed solutions.
"If the latter, unpleasant things will have to be done to hold people to account.”
Think of the grandiosity embedded in that comment. These are weak, foolish men who've spent their adult lives basting in Claremont talking points and are giddy at the thought of wielding power. The animus they carry toward the left, the abiding chip on their shoulder about being left out of the power parade is the real substance of their complaint. Everything Mr. Vought embroiders about his constitutionalism or whatever is superseded by his desire to attain power for purposes of revenge. Walter Mitty as tyrant.
I've heard family members make these kinds of statements, that the constitution has already been destroyed so there is no reason to keep following it. Never thought I would see the Right attacking the constitution.
Russell Vought and Trump’s Radical MAGA Agenda: A Christian Nationalist Coup in the Making
••••
Donald Trump isn’t assembling a cabinet—he’s unleashing a democracy demolition crew, with Russell Vought handed the wrecking ball as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Don’t let the bureaucratic title lull you into complacency—the OMB is the nerve center of federal power, overseeing budgets, federal agencies, and the machinery of government itself. Under Vought, however, the OMB won’t run the government—it will dismantle it, advancing Trump’s radical MAGA agenda and a Christian nationalist crusade designed to bulldoze democracy and reshape America into their authoritarian image.
What is the OMB and Why Should You Care?
The OMB coordinates federal spending and ensures agencies execute their missions effectively and legally. It touches everything: healthcare, education, environmental protections, workplace safety—the services and safeguards most Americans depend on.
Now imagine that power in the hands of a man who doesn’t believe in governing but in waging ideological war. Under Vought, the OMB will become a political cudgel, gutting vital programs, warping federal agencies, and enforcing radicalism over reason.
Russell Vought: MAGA’s Mad Architect
Vought isn’t some mid-level technocrat—he’s the chief architect of Project 2025, Trump’s dystopian manifesto for consolidating presidential power. His “180-Day Playbook” is a how-to guide for dismantling democracy, featuring:
Hundreds of pre-written executive orders to bypass Congress entirely.
Plans to gut regulatory agencies, purge civil servants, and transform the government into a MAGA echo chamber.
A vision for imposing a Christian nationalist agenda that crushes pluralism and constitutional protections under its weight.
A Record of Radicalism—and Incompetence
Vought’s previous stint at the OMB is a cautionary tale of incompetence wrapped in extremism:
He diverted billions to fund Trump’s border wall boondoggle, a project that squandered taxpayer dollars on a half-finished vanity monument to MAGA xenophobia.
He withheld military aid to Ukraine, turning national security into a pawn for Trump’s personal vendettas.
He pushed Schedule F, a cynical plan to purge apolitical civil servants and replace them with MAGA loyalists, undermining federal agencies’ ability to function.
He advocated invoking the Insurrection Act, fantasizing about deploying military force against protesting Americans.
Radical Christian Nationalism: A Holy War on Democracy
At the core of Vought’s agenda lies an unholy marriage of MAGA authoritarianism and Christian nationalism:
He envisions Christianity as the dominant force in policymaking, relegating all other beliefs to second-class status.
He casts immigration and diversity as existential threats to what he calls “Christian civilization.”
He seeks to weaponize federal agencies to impose his exclusionary worldview, erasing decades of progress toward pluralism.
This isn’t governance—it’s a crusade against democracy, waged with the tools of government itself.
Why This Matters
The OMB impacts every aspect of your life. It funds programs, enforces laws, and ensures government functions. Under Vought, that office will become an authoritarian command center, siphoning taxpayer dollars into failed ideological projects like the border wall and stripping away protections Americans rely on daily.
Russell Vought’s return to the OMB is not just another Trump appointment—it’s a direct assault on democracy, governance, and inclusion. This isn’t about budgeting; it’s about reshaping America into a theocratic autocracy, where dissent is crushed, diversity is erased, and accountability is an afterthought.
••••
Subscribe to Open Letters by Mersault and get:
2+ long-form posts per week 💥: Powerful analyses dismantling Trump’s tantrums, the GOP’s complicity, and the crazy MAGA cult
Democracy Distress Signals 🆘: Real-time alerts on the latest assaults from the Trump administration
Resistance Reports ✊🏽: Bold actions from Democrats, activists, and freedom fighters pushing back against tyranny
Voices of Defiance 🔥: Daily reflections on how to resist, persist, and protect our democracy
Russell Vought and Trump’s Radical MAGA Agenda: A Christian Nationalist Coup in the Making
••••
Donald Trump isn’t assembling a cabinet—he’s unleashing a democracy demolition crew, with Russell Vought handed the wrecking ball as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Don’t let the bureaucratic title lull you into complacency—the OMB is the nerve center of federal power, overseeing budgets, federal agencies, and the machinery of government itself. Under Vought, however, the OMB won’t run the government—it will dismantle it, advancing Trump’s radical MAGA agenda and a Christian nationalist crusade designed to bulldoze democracy and reshape America into their authoritarian image.
What is the OMB and Why Should You Care?
The OMB coordinates federal spending and ensures agencies execute their missions effectively and legally. It touches everything: healthcare, education, environmental protections, workplace safety—the services and safeguards most Americans depend on.
Now imagine that power in the hands of a man who doesn’t believe in governing but in waging ideological war. Under Vought, the OMB will become a political cudgel, gutting vital programs, warping federal agencies, and enforcing radicalism over reason.
Russell Vought: MAGA’s Mad Architect
Vought isn’t some mid-level technocrat—he’s the chief architect of Project 2025, Trump’s dystopian manifesto for consolidating presidential power. His “180-Day Playbook” is a how-to guide for dismantling democracy, featuring:
Hundreds of pre-written executive orders to bypass Congress entirely.
Plans to gut regulatory agencies, purge civil servants, and transform the government into a MAGA echo chamber.
A vision for imposing a Christian nationalist agenda that crushes pluralism and constitutional protections under its weight.
A Record of Radicalism—and Incompetence
Vought’s previous stint at the OMB is a cautionary tale of incompetence wrapped in extremism:
He diverted billions to fund Trump’s border wall boondoggle, a project that squandered taxpayer dollars on a half-finished vanity monument to MAGA xenophobia.
He withheld military aid to Ukraine, turning national security into a pawn for Trump’s personal vendettas.
He pushed Schedule F, a cynical plan to purge apolitical civil servants and replace them with MAGA loyalists, undermining federal agencies’ ability to function.
He advocated invoking the Insurrection Act, fantasizing about deploying military force against protesting Americans.
Radical Christian Nationalism: A Holy War on Democracy
At the core of Vought’s agenda lies an unholy marriage of MAGA authoritarianism and Christian nationalism:
He envisions Christianity as the dominant force in policymaking, relegating all other beliefs to second-class status.
He casts immigration and diversity as existential threats to what he calls “Christian civilization.”
He seeks to weaponize federal agencies to impose his exclusionary worldview, erasing decades of progress toward pluralism.
This isn’t governance—it’s a crusade against democracy, waged with the tools of government itself.
Why This Matters
The OMB impacts every aspect of your life. It funds programs, enforces laws, and ensures government functions. Under Vought, that office will become an authoritarian command center, siphoning taxpayer dollars into failed ideological projects like the border wall and stripping away protections Americans rely on daily.
Russell Vought’s return to the OMB is not just another Trump appointment—it’s a direct assault on democracy, governance, and inclusion. This isn’t about budgeting; it’s about reshaping America into a theocratic autocracy, where dissent is crushed, diversity is erased, and accountability is an afterthought.
••••
Subscribe to Open Letters by Mersault and get:
2+ long-form posts per week 💥: Powerful analyses dismantling Trump’s tantrums, the GOP’s complicity, and the crazy MAGA cult
Democracy Distress Signals 🆘: Real-time alerts on the latest assaults from the Trump administration
Resistance Reports ✊🏽: Bold actions from Democrats, activists, and freedom fighters pushing back against tyranny
Voices of Defiance 🔥: Daily reflections on how to resist, persist
Isn't favoring one's nation over others the literal opposite of what Christianity is supposed to do (see, for example, Galatians 3:28). And since most immigrants to the USA are from Latin America, which is predominantly Catholic, mightn't they prove valuable allies in trying to increase the influence of Christianity in America? Didn't that in fact prove to be the case as Latino Americans shifted towards Trump in the last election? This bizarre synthesis of Christianity and nativism does not make any sense.
You're writing about what I call punitive progressives: folks who look to government folks to punish those that they regard as evil.
Progressives are folks who think that using a structure that empowers folks to rob folks to finance assaults by folks against folks, is the proper way to address their own discomfort at other folks' behavior on real estate to which the uncomfortable folks have no individual claim. Progressives ascribe to this structure superior social status over that of individuals. Most folks call this structure government.
I am against the methods and abuse of power. But I struggle to disagree with:
"Vought implores his readers to fully grasp the severity of the situation: “the hour is late, and time is of the essence.” The “woke and weaponized” leftist regime “is now increasingly arrayed against the American people,” treating patriotic parents as “domestic terrorists” and “putting political opponents in jail.”"
So as much as I can appreciate that you (rightfully) denounce Vought's proposals, what alternative solutions do you offer? I have not voted for Trump in 3 elections now - but neither have I voted for any of the Dems (in fact, I have left my vote for POTUS blank in these last 2 elections) because as an organised PARTY, I think it (the D party) is very much the enemy of America and American ideals - and it is impossible not to be elated that they have been rejected (even if I don't like Trump). You can and will gain plenty of "likes" from your readers any time you attack Trump (as you did during the run up to the election), but where are your proposed solutions? Just saying "Don't vote for Trump" (and now "See how bad Trump is?") over and over is getting a bit old if you can't offer alternatives / proposed solutions.
"If the latter, unpleasant things will have to be done to hold people to account.”
Think of the grandiosity embedded in that comment. These are weak, foolish men who've spent their adult lives basting in Claremont talking points and are giddy at the thought of wielding power. The animus they carry toward the left, the abiding chip on their shoulder about being left out of the power parade is the real substance of their complaint. Everything Mr. Vought embroiders about his constitutionalism or whatever is superseded by his desire to attain power for purposes of revenge. Walter Mitty as tyrant.
I've heard family members make these kinds of statements, that the constitution has already been destroyed so there is no reason to keep following it. Never thought I would see the Right attacking the constitution.
You make this guy sound awesome.
🆘 DAILY DEMOCRACY DISTRESS SIGNAL
Russell Vought and Trump’s Radical MAGA Agenda: A Christian Nationalist Coup in the Making
••••
Donald Trump isn’t assembling a cabinet—he’s unleashing a democracy demolition crew, with Russell Vought handed the wrecking ball as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Don’t let the bureaucratic title lull you into complacency—the OMB is the nerve center of federal power, overseeing budgets, federal agencies, and the machinery of government itself. Under Vought, however, the OMB won’t run the government—it will dismantle it, advancing Trump’s radical MAGA agenda and a Christian nationalist crusade designed to bulldoze democracy and reshape America into their authoritarian image.
What is the OMB and Why Should You Care?
The OMB coordinates federal spending and ensures agencies execute their missions effectively and legally. It touches everything: healthcare, education, environmental protections, workplace safety—the services and safeguards most Americans depend on.
Now imagine that power in the hands of a man who doesn’t believe in governing but in waging ideological war. Under Vought, the OMB will become a political cudgel, gutting vital programs, warping federal agencies, and enforcing radicalism over reason.
Russell Vought: MAGA’s Mad Architect
Vought isn’t some mid-level technocrat—he’s the chief architect of Project 2025, Trump’s dystopian manifesto for consolidating presidential power. His “180-Day Playbook” is a how-to guide for dismantling democracy, featuring:
Hundreds of pre-written executive orders to bypass Congress entirely.
Plans to gut regulatory agencies, purge civil servants, and transform the government into a MAGA echo chamber.
A vision for imposing a Christian nationalist agenda that crushes pluralism and constitutional protections under its weight.
A Record of Radicalism—and Incompetence
Vought’s previous stint at the OMB is a cautionary tale of incompetence wrapped in extremism:
He diverted billions to fund Trump’s border wall boondoggle, a project that squandered taxpayer dollars on a half-finished vanity monument to MAGA xenophobia.
He withheld military aid to Ukraine, turning national security into a pawn for Trump’s personal vendettas.
He pushed Schedule F, a cynical plan to purge apolitical civil servants and replace them with MAGA loyalists, undermining federal agencies’ ability to function.
He advocated invoking the Insurrection Act, fantasizing about deploying military force against protesting Americans.
Radical Christian Nationalism: A Holy War on Democracy
At the core of Vought’s agenda lies an unholy marriage of MAGA authoritarianism and Christian nationalism:
He envisions Christianity as the dominant force in policymaking, relegating all other beliefs to second-class status.
He casts immigration and diversity as existential threats to what he calls “Christian civilization.”
He seeks to weaponize federal agencies to impose his exclusionary worldview, erasing decades of progress toward pluralism.
This isn’t governance—it’s a crusade against democracy, waged with the tools of government itself.
Why This Matters
The OMB impacts every aspect of your life. It funds programs, enforces laws, and ensures government functions. Under Vought, that office will become an authoritarian command center, siphoning taxpayer dollars into failed ideological projects like the border wall and stripping away protections Americans rely on daily.
Russell Vought’s return to the OMB is not just another Trump appointment—it’s a direct assault on democracy, governance, and inclusion. This isn’t about budgeting; it’s about reshaping America into a theocratic autocracy, where dissent is crushed, diversity is erased, and accountability is an afterthought.
••••
Subscribe to Open Letters by Mersault and get:
2+ long-form posts per week 💥: Powerful analyses dismantling Trump’s tantrums, the GOP’s complicity, and the crazy MAGA cult
Democracy Distress Signals 🆘: Real-time alerts on the latest assaults from the Trump administration
Resistance Reports ✊🏽: Bold actions from Democrats, activists, and freedom fighters pushing back against tyranny
Voices of Defiance 🔥: Daily reflections on how to resist, persist, and protect our democracy
Russell Vought and Trump’s Radical MAGA Agenda: A Christian Nationalist Coup in the Making
••••
Donald Trump isn’t assembling a cabinet—he’s unleashing a democracy demolition crew, with Russell Vought handed the wrecking ball as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Don’t let the bureaucratic title lull you into complacency—the OMB is the nerve center of federal power, overseeing budgets, federal agencies, and the machinery of government itself. Under Vought, however, the OMB won’t run the government—it will dismantle it, advancing Trump’s radical MAGA agenda and a Christian nationalist crusade designed to bulldoze democracy and reshape America into their authoritarian image.
What is the OMB and Why Should You Care?
The OMB coordinates federal spending and ensures agencies execute their missions effectively and legally. It touches everything: healthcare, education, environmental protections, workplace safety—the services and safeguards most Americans depend on.
Now imagine that power in the hands of a man who doesn’t believe in governing but in waging ideological war. Under Vought, the OMB will become a political cudgel, gutting vital programs, warping federal agencies, and enforcing radicalism over reason.
Russell Vought: MAGA’s Mad Architect
Vought isn’t some mid-level technocrat—he’s the chief architect of Project 2025, Trump’s dystopian manifesto for consolidating presidential power. His “180-Day Playbook” is a how-to guide for dismantling democracy, featuring:
Hundreds of pre-written executive orders to bypass Congress entirely.
Plans to gut regulatory agencies, purge civil servants, and transform the government into a MAGA echo chamber.
A vision for imposing a Christian nationalist agenda that crushes pluralism and constitutional protections under its weight.
A Record of Radicalism—and Incompetence
Vought’s previous stint at the OMB is a cautionary tale of incompetence wrapped in extremism:
He diverted billions to fund Trump’s border wall boondoggle, a project that squandered taxpayer dollars on a half-finished vanity monument to MAGA xenophobia.
He withheld military aid to Ukraine, turning national security into a pawn for Trump’s personal vendettas.
He pushed Schedule F, a cynical plan to purge apolitical civil servants and replace them with MAGA loyalists, undermining federal agencies’ ability to function.
He advocated invoking the Insurrection Act, fantasizing about deploying military force against protesting Americans.
Radical Christian Nationalism: A Holy War on Democracy
At the core of Vought’s agenda lies an unholy marriage of MAGA authoritarianism and Christian nationalism:
He envisions Christianity as the dominant force in policymaking, relegating all other beliefs to second-class status.
He casts immigration and diversity as existential threats to what he calls “Christian civilization.”
He seeks to weaponize federal agencies to impose his exclusionary worldview, erasing decades of progress toward pluralism.
This isn’t governance—it’s a crusade against democracy, waged with the tools of government itself.
Why This Matters
The OMB impacts every aspect of your life. It funds programs, enforces laws, and ensures government functions. Under Vought, that office will become an authoritarian command center, siphoning taxpayer dollars into failed ideological projects like the border wall and stripping away protections Americans rely on daily.
Russell Vought’s return to the OMB is not just another Trump appointment—it’s a direct assault on democracy, governance, and inclusion. This isn’t about budgeting; it’s about reshaping America into a theocratic autocracy, where dissent is crushed, diversity is erased, and accountability is an afterthought.
••••
Subscribe to Open Letters by Mersault and get:
2+ long-form posts per week 💥: Powerful analyses dismantling Trump’s tantrums, the GOP’s complicity, and the crazy MAGA cult
Democracy Distress Signals 🆘: Real-time alerts on the latest assaults from the Trump administration
Resistance Reports ✊🏽: Bold actions from Democrats, activists, and freedom fighters pushing back against tyranny
Voices of Defiance 🔥: Daily reflections on how to resist, persist
Isn't favoring one's nation over others the literal opposite of what Christianity is supposed to do (see, for example, Galatians 3:28). And since most immigrants to the USA are from Latin America, which is predominantly Catholic, mightn't they prove valuable allies in trying to increase the influence of Christianity in America? Didn't that in fact prove to be the case as Latino Americans shifted towards Trump in the last election? This bizarre synthesis of Christianity and nativism does not make any sense.
@Thomas Zimmer
You're writing about what I call punitive progressives: folks who look to government folks to punish those that they regard as evil.
Progressives are folks who think that using a structure that empowers folks to rob folks to finance assaults by folks against folks, is the proper way to address their own discomfort at other folks' behavior on real estate to which the uncomfortable folks have no individual claim. Progressives ascribe to this structure superior social status over that of individuals. Most folks call this structure government.