Dismantling the Adminstrative State

Dear Friend,

Walking the streets of Washington, D.C. recently, I was struck to see the face of 2011 Lincoln Fellow and longtime friend of The Claremont Institute, Russ Vought, plastered across the city in leftist protest art.

Russ–mild-mannered, serious, and scholarly–is now being depicted as a “TRAITOR” who “THINKS TRUMP SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW.”

If you know Russ, you might be tempted to laugh. But left-wing smears are never merely insults.

They are incitements–deliberate attempts to stir up violence among the deranged adherents of their destructive ideology.

We have seen this playbook far too often:

Steve Scalise. Brett Kavanaugh. Mike Johnson. President Trump. Charlie Kirk.

These threats are real, and they are escalating.

Thankfully, in his role as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russ is under constant protection–physically, and through our prayers. 

His work is indispensable to the Trump Administration’s domestic policy agenda.

And that is precisely why the Left has made him a target.

REFORMING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT—LINE BY LINE

As OMB Director, Russ has overseen the preparation and submission of the FY 2026 President's Budget, which proposes deep cuts to nonessential and harmful programs through rigorous, line-by-line accountability. 

The budget:

• Recovers billions in federal spending 
• Reduces foreign aid and environmental programs excesses
• Redirects resources to border security and domestic manufacturing

Russ embodies the sound fiscal and constitutional approach of Claremont’s Lincoln Fellowship—grounding reforms in limited government and accountability, and executive authority.

TAKING ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE ITSELF

Beyond the budget, Russ has begun confronting the runaway growth of the administrative state with personnel reforms that strengthen accountability and restore executive authority to remove obstructive bureaucrats.

Under his leadership:

• Agencies like the EPA and Department of Education are being streamlined
• Excessive regulations are being slashed
• Billions in savings are emerging from eliminating duplicative programs
• DOGE-integrated audits are uncovering waste and redirecting resources to lawful priorities

This is the kind of decisive, constitutional leadership the American people have waited decades to see.

Claremont stands firmly with Director Russ Vought in this essential work. 

And we stand with every alumnus whose courage and clarity have helped make this Administration’s reforms possible.

With your support, we will continue equipping principled leaders and advancing the ideas that are shaping America’s renewal.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Ryan P. Williams

President, The Claremont Institute

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