From the wholesale gutting of federal agencies to the 2025 government shutdown, Russell Vought has drawn the road map for President Donald Trump’s second term. Vought has consolidated power to an extent that insiders say they feel like “he is the commander in chief.”
 By Andy Kroll. Originally published on October 17, 2025. Reading produced by News Over Audio. Support our journalism by donating at <a href="http://propublica.org/donate">propublica.org/donate</a>.

From the wholesale gutting of federal agencies to the 2025 government shutdown, Russell Vought has drawn the road map for President Donald Trump’s second term. Vought has consolidated power to an extent that insiders say they feel like “he is the commander in chief.” By Andy Kroll. Originally published on October 17, 2025. Reading produced by News Over Audio. Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.

From the wholesale gutting of federal agencies to the 2025 government shutdown, Russell Vought has drawn the road map for President Donald Trump’s second term. Vought has consolidated power to an extent that insiders say they feel like “he is the commander in chief.”
 By Andy Kroll. Originally published on October 17, 2025. Reading produced by News Over Audio. Support our journalism by donating at <a href="http://propublica.org/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">propublica.org/donate</a>.

The Shadow President

ProPublica’s best long-form investigations, narrated. ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with moral force. We dig deep into important issues, shining a light on abuses of power and betrayals of public trust — and we stick with those issues as long as it takes to hold power to account. On this podcast, you can listen to important new investigations alongside our most compelling journalism from the archives. Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.

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The Shadow President

The Shadow President