White House Budget Office Diverts Millions from Former Foreign Aid Agency to Fund Security for Top Official
The White House Office of Management and Budget is allocating millions of dollars from the former U.S. Agency for International Development to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief, according to internal documents reviewed by Reuters. The controversial financial maneuver involves redirecting funds from an agency that was largely dismantled last year.
$15 Million Allocation for Protective Services
Documents reveal that OMB, which Vought leads, is designating $15 million from remaining USAID operating expenses to cover the costs of his protection by the U.S. Marshals Service through the end of 2026. A person familiar with the arrangement indicated that Vought's security detail comprises more than one dozen U.S. Marshals, though Reuters could not independently verify this information.
OMB spokesperson Rachel Cauley confirmed the use of available funds in an email statement, noting: "We are going to continue to use available funds at the three agencies overseen by the director to protect him." This apparently refers to OMB, USAID, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where Vought serves as acting director.
Security Funding Timeline and Justification
The financial arrangement began last September when OMB signed an agreement with USAID to cover $1.6 million for Vought's security detail through November while he served as acting USAID administrator. An additional $13.5 million has been budgeted from USAID funds to underwrite security costs through year's end "as they relate to his current role as Senior Advisor to USAID."
The Marshals Service, which typically protects federal courthouses, judges, and court personnel, stated it "could offer protection to members of the executive branch who face threats or at the direction of the Attorney General." The service declined to comment specifically on Vought's protection, noting it does not identify individuals under protection but typically seeks reimbursement from supported agencies.
Context of Threats and Political Climate
A person familiar with the matter indicated that Vought has received serious threats apparently linked to his role as a leading author of Project 2025, the conservative blueprint that has informed many Trump administration policies. Last week, police in northern Virginia announced the arrest of a 26-year-old man for attempted murder, with media reports identifying Vought as the target, though authorities declined to confirm this.
In her statement, OMB spokesperson Cauley accused "The Left" of pursuing a strategy that fuels an "assassination culture against public officials" and then expresses "shock about what it takes to keep them safe." This security arrangement occurs amid increased intimidation and violence directed at U.S. officials across the political spectrum since 2020, including two assassination attempts against President Trump.
Background on USAID Dismantling
The Trump administration dismantled USAID last year, canceling most aid programs and transferring foreign assistance responsibility to the State Department. A skeleton crew of more than 100 staff and contractors is closing out remaining contracts, with the 64-year-old agency scheduled to shut permanently by September.
President Trump ordered USAID's closure upon taking office in January, claiming without evidence that it was rife with corruption. Approximately 10,000 USAID personnel and thousands of contractors were terminated, with thousands of programs shuttered, disrupting U.S.-funded global humanitarian operations that millions of the world's poorest people depended upon. USAID ceased distributing aid in July.
Vought served as acting USAID director for nearly 90 days last year before his deputy assumed the position in November. He remains a senior adviser to the nearly defunct agency, according to documents that have not been previously reported.
