⏰ Tick Tock
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While other teenagers dreamed of prom, Mike Lee says this Trump advisor dreamed of shutting down the government
In a cringe-worthy moment, Utah Sen. Mike Lee suggested the government shutdown would help President Donald Trump's budget chief, Russ Vought, fulfill a long-held teenage fantasy.
During an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham, Lee tried to blame the current government shutdown on Democrats, calling it the "Schumer Shutdown"—referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"The Schumer Shutdown boils down to this. They have terrible policies. Those terrible policies cause them to lose elections. After the lost elections, they lose legislative battles. Now they want to relitigate the legislative battles they lost because the American people hate their policies," Lee said.
"These guys are arsonists who mistakenly believe that they can set fire to a building in the light of day, then call the fire department. As long as they're recording themselves on their phones calling the fire department, nobody will suspect them of arson."
Lee, apparently unaware of how weird this sounds, said the shutdown would help Vought realize a lifelong obsession:
"They're (Democrats) doing it deliberately. It's going to harm them because Russ Vought, the OMB Director, has been dreaming about this moment, preparing this moment since puberty," Lee said.
Lee: This is what they're doing, doing it deliberately. It's going to harm them. Russ Vought has been dreaming about this moment since puberty. pic.twitter.com/CubW81cQy0— Acyn (@Acyn) October 1, 2025
"Russ Vought has a plan, and that plan is going to succeed in empowering, further empowering, Trump. This is going to be the Democrats' worst nightmare, and it's of their own making."
Nothing says "normal political discourse" quite like discussing teenage fantasies about government shutdowns.
Since the government shut down on Wednesday, Vought has announced the cancellation of $8 billion in clean energy projects–but only in states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024.
Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left's climate agenda is being cancelled. More info to come from @ENERGY.
The projects are in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA— Russ Vought (@russvought) October 1, 2025
Vought has also said that the Trump administration will start firing federal workers instead of furloughing them.
Lee wagging his finger at Democrats attempting to re-litigate lost legislative battles rings a little hollow given his history of employing similar tactics.
When he was elected as part of the Tea Party wave in 2010, Lee was very supportive of tactics that could lead to a shutdown in order to force government spending cuts.
In 2013, Lee helped lead the charge to shut down the government in an attempt to defund or delay implementation of Obamacare. The shutdown lasted 16 days but ended after Republicans and Democrats in the Senate negotiated a compromise on a temporary funding measure.
Lee's transformation from shutdown architect to shutdown critic appears to hinge on a simple variable: which party stands to benefit.
Friday morning's headlines
Utah and the West
Utah Democrats told to abandon GOP infiltration strategy and "come home." Data shows tactic was largely ineffective. [Utah Political Watch]
Hill Air Force Base workers worried over future as government shutdown continues. [Fox 13]
Utah Board of Higher Education to establish campus safety task force. [KSL]
"I was ordered to lie": Weber State censorship event canceled, after organizers said school wanted to censor speakers. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah homeless board proposes "initial framework" to respond to Trump's executive order. [Utah News Dispatch]
Nation
White House freezes $2.1 billion in Chicago transit projects. [Reuters]
White House senses political risk on healthcare despite shutdown bravado. [Wall Street Journal]
In a social media post, President Trump called Democrats "The party of hate, evil and Satan." [Truth Social]
World
White House not ruling out military strikes inside Venezuela. [Semafor]
Hamas is expected to demand revisions to President Trump's plan for Gaza. [Guardian]
Putin praises Trump but warns supplies of U.S. long-range missiles to Ukraine will badly hurt ties. [CNN]
Pope Leo slams Trump, Vance and Hegseth all in one go. [New Republic]
Economy
Americans think the economy is getting worse. [CBS News]
The Trump administration is exploring a financial bailout for U.S. farmers of at least $10 billion. [Wall Street Journal]
Technology
Apple bows to MAGA demands, pulls ICE tracker apps. [Daily Beast]