While Elon Musk has been a prominent figure in the Trump administration, Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has emerged as a more influential yet less visible force. Vought is rumored to soon take over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from Musk, further solidifying his role in shaping the administration’s policies. Unlike Musk, Vought operates largely out of the media spotlight, driven by a deep commitment to radically transforming the U.S. presidency and embedding Christian values into government and public life. Vought has vowed to ‘crush the Deep State,’ a mission he began during Trump’s first term, where he served as OMB deputy director and briefly as director. He played a key role in Executive Order 13957, which aimed to reclassify thousands of federal policy jobs, allowing the White House to swiftly alter employment in these roles. Although this order was revoked by the Biden administration, Trump issued a similar order (14171) in January, potentially affecting 50,000 federal positions. Vought argues that such measures are essential for the White House to retain control over federal agencies, preventing ideological opponents from undermining its initiatives. During the Biden presidency, Vought was the key architect of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a 900-page blueprint widely seen as the foundation for Trump’s potential second term. Many of its recommendations, including high trade tariffs and DOGE’s cost-cutting initiatives, have already been implemented. Vought’s influence extends to his close relationship with Musk, with whom he has coordinated efforts to streamline government spending. Despite facing opposition from Democrats, who view him as a radical threat to constitutional norms, Vought remains steadfast in his belief in the unitary executive theory, which asserts the president’s authority over all executive branch operations. His continued push for reform could lead to significant legal battles, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the federal government.