Trump has long distanced himself from the controversial policy blueprint Project 2025, but is still taking steps that reflect its policy proposals.

Vought was one of the architects of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term.

Russell Vought, 48, the architect of Project 2025, will lead the Office of Management and Budget, where he will oversee the president's budget.

Trump has named several people tied to Project 2025 to his administration, even after he disavowed the extreme policy agenda.

Democrats see Vought as the embodiment of a Trump agenda that they want to build their opposition message around — from his long-standing ties to Project 2025 to his support for slashing spending programs that benefit the middle class to his election denial.

Democrats call Russell Vought the president's "most dangerous nominee", but Republicans say he will "stop the waste of US taxpayers' dollars".