'This is the guy': Neighbors of Trump official behind mass firings call him 'despicable'
Office of Management and Budget Director-designate Russell Vought testifying before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on January 15, 2025 (Image: Shutterstock)
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought is quickly becoming infamous among critics of President Donald Trump's administration. This even includes his own neighbors.
That's according to a Friday article by Mother Jones' Isabela Dias, who spoke with several of Vought's neighbors about his role as Trump's "shutdown enforcer." Dias reported that many of Vought's neighbors — including the house next door to his – have signs on their lawns expressing solidarity with federal workers.
"So many people in this neighborhood are federal workers," archivist Cathy Hunter told Mother Jones. "They do really good work and they just feel so disrespected."
Dias also took notice of messages inscribed in chalk near the $1.1 million four bedroom, three bathroom, 2,632 square-foot house where he's lived since 2023, according to county property records. One read: "ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR RUSS VOUGHT ABOUT PROJECT 2025." Another message read: "DEMOTE VOUGHT NOT FEDERAL WORKERS."
Vought's profile has risen significantly given the ongoing federal government shutdown. In a post to his Truth Social profile this week, Trump referred to the OMB director as "he of PROJECT 2025 fame," and noted that he may recommend "permanent" cuts to "Democrat Agencies." He also posted an AI-generated video depicting Vought as the Grim Reaper.
Vought has specifically advocated for Trump to take advantage of the shutdown to make significant staff reductions at various agencies (even though such mass firings would likely be illegal if challenged). Vought is expected to announce the OMB's plans for mass layoffs in the coming days.
"People have strong feelings about him," one of Vought's neighbors told Mother Jones. "Everyone knows someone who lost their jobs."
"You stare it in the face when he’s there," another unnamed neighbor said. "This is the guy, you know."
A third neighbor speaking anonymously told the outlet that they found Vought's actions "abhorrent," and that many other nearby residents felt the same way.
"He takes food and health care from the neediest and tries to, in his words, traumatize people — then he calls himself a Christian," the person said. "Pretty despicable."
Click here to read Mother Jones' full report.
