‘Just Be Straight On The US Constitution!’ Slotkin Fumes At Russell Vought After Asking If His Loyalty Is To Trump Above All

Russell Vought, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, sparred with Democrats during his confirmation hearing this week and left Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) particularly frustrated as she asked him to “just be straight on the US Constitution.”

The Wednesday exchange came after Slotkin asked Vought on Wednesday about some of Trump’s more controversial views, including possibly going after the so-called “enemy within” – a term the president-elect often used to refer to some of his fellow Americans.

“Would you support a proposal? I’m just asking. You want the job, you want it back. Would you support a proposal to put more political appointees to oversee the activities of American law enforcement at the federal level and American intelligence community?” Slotkin asked, referring to an earlier line of questioning about the potential weaponization of law enforcement against Americans.

“Again, the president hasn’t spoken to that matter to my knowledge, and I’m not here on behalf of my own personal views,” replied Vought, who was a key contributor to the controversial Project 2025 agenda.

“Okay. Again, the feeling that we have, the thing that keeps coming up is, again, I don’t quibble at all with the fact that the president is going to put in people that I don’t agree with on a policy perspective. That’s not my debate. My concern with you and with potential Secretary [Pete] Hegseth yesterday is that when asked clear constitutional questions about the allocation of money, you can’t answer a straight constitutional question,’ Slotkin hit back, adding:

Again, we’re going to disagree on policy. There’s no question about that and that’s not my issue with you. My issue is the constitutional side because you are going to swear an oath to the Constitution, not to Donald Trump, just like any other confirmed official. So can you confirm for me please that you will abide by the Constitution and current law as it is, not what you wish it to be?

“I absolutely will abide by the Constitution at all times,” Vought replied.

“Uh-huh. And your interpretation does not, pardon the pun, trump the interpretation of the Supreme Court or at current practice on the books?” Slotkin pressed.

“Again, administration goes through a very, very extensive policy process with the lawyers–” Vought began to answer as Slotkin jumped back in:

You can see how this bureaucratic, wonky answer you keep giving, right? You’re claiming to be an outsider that says you’re going to shake things up, but you’re giving the most wonky answers.

I just want to hear that when you hold up your hand, like many of us have done in this room, to put themselves in harm’s way, that you’re going to protect and defend the Constitution as interpreted by the people who are in a position to interpret it like our Supreme Court. And that’s what bothers me about you. It’s not that we disagree on policy. It’s that basic tenet that a lot of us have had to do in this room on both sides of the aisle. That’s all I care about. So with that, I’ll yield back, but I wish from nominees that we see across the board, just be straight on the US Constitution.

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.