In late October, ProPublica published a notably predictive story in its history. At the time, it may have been overlooked by many due to the significant events occurring just before the election, and headlines that were dominated by issues such as a comedian’s racist humor delivered at Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden.
For those who did not read the story titled "Put Them in Trauma: Inside a Key MAGA Leader’s Plans for a New Trump Agenda" when it was first published, it likely gained attention after Trump assumed office in January. The article relied on private recordings of speeches given in 2023 and 2024 by Russell Vought, obtained by colleagues at the news site Documented, which often reveals information kept hidden by powerful interests.
Russell Vought, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist and former director of the Office of Management and Budget in Trump’s first term, was known for his bold public statements. However, in private, he outlined a vision of a Trump presidency that would see regulatory agencies shut down and career civil servants disheartened. "We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected," Vought stated in one recording. "When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains."
Vought described ongoing plans to defund independent federal agencies and to demonize government scientists. "We have detailed agency plans," he mentioned. "We are writing the actual executive orders. We are writing the actual regulations now, and we are sorting out the legal authorities for all of what President Trump is running on."
Vought insisted that these radical measures were necessary because, in his view, Trump’s opponents were attempting to end democracy in America. "The stark reality in America is that we are in the late stages of a complete Marxist takeover of the country," he said in a speech. He added that the adversaries were using government power against them until elections were no longer needed.
The story proved to be uncannily prescient, illustrating the intense and broad attack on the federal government. Vought returned to his previous role as the director of the budget office, and many of his proposed plans for dismantling agencies and lowering the morale among federal workers materialized. Trump’s second administration, Trump 47, turned out to be quite distinct from Trump 45, as Vought had predicted.
The article prompts the question: why did it not spark a larger national conversation when it was released? As a news organization, ProPublica often reflects on the challenge of not only telling important stories but also ensuring they reach and influence the public and elected officials. While engaging stories sometimes fail to initiate wide discussions, the flood of media content, including social media, streaming platforms, and podcasts, adds to the challenge of capturing reader attention.
Journalists, who often are said to write the first draft of history, face the challenge of covering events before their outcomes are clear. They strive to identify stories amidst daily noise that offer insight into the future. Despite this difficulty, Vought’s clarity in his speeches was evident. He had been a significant figure in efforts to make it easier to dismiss civil servants during Trump’s first term and was involved in Project 2025, which outlined possible scenarios for a second Trump administration.
One aspect that may have initially prevented broader belief in Vought’s predictions was his disdain for the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, which is influential in conservative legal circles. He criticized the organization and its judges, describing them as a "Praetorian Guard" for Democrats.
In recent times, Vought’s harsh view of the Federalist Society appears aligned with Trump’s recent actions, including a suggestion that a federal judge should not have authority over his presidency. This ideological stance led to actions such as the recent resignation of Danielle Sassoon, a member of the Federalist Society, rather than follow orders from the Trump Justice Department.
Reflecting on the situation, an insight from a New York Times journalist was shared: while journalists strive for fairness and accuracy, being prescient is a highly challenging goal. Vought’s worldview, however extreme it seemed before, now appears as an accurate depiction of Trump’s approach and choices.
Vought summarized this sentiment by equating the political climate to pivotal historical moments in U.S. history. "We are here in the year of 2024, a year that very well could — and I believe it will — rival 1776 and 1860 for the complexity and the uncertainty of the forces arrayed against us," he declared, referencing the years when significant changes and challenges faced the nation.
