President Trump said he and Budget Director Russell Vought would be meeting Thursday to discuss which “Democrat agencies” should be cut.

Mr. Trump said on social media that most of the Democratic-run agencies are a “political SCAM.”

He said Mr. Vought, “of PROJECT 2025 fame,” will give his recommendations on which should be cut, and whether the cut will be permanent.

Project 2025 is a governing blueprint by the conservative Heritage Foundation, where Mr. Vought was a top executive, that includes plans for downsizing the federal bureaucracy.

“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he said.

The White House did not immediately identify what the president considered a “Democratic agency.” However, there is a widely held belief among conservatives that Democrats dominate the federal workforce and that most federal agencies pursue a liberal agenda, regardless of which party is in power.

Mr. Vought announced on Wednesday the cancellation of $8 billion of green energy projects in 16 states, which he called “Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda.”

He also announced that money for two massive transportation projects in New York – the Hudson Tunnel project and the Second Avenue subway – would be put on hold as the project is reviewed to “determine whether any unconstitutional practices are occurring.”

“Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional [diversity, equity and inclusion] principles,” Mr. Vought wrote on X.

The government shutdown entered its second day Thursday. Mr. Trump and other Republican leaders blame the lapse in government funding on Democratic lawmakers led by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York.

“Thanks to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries shutdown, however, USDOT’s review of New York’s unconstitutional practices will take more time,” the Transportation Department said. “Without a budget, the department has been forced to furlough the civil rights staff responsible for conducting this review.

“This is another unfortunate casualty of radical Democrats’ reckless decision to hold the federal government hostage to give illegal immigrants benefits.”

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.