Trump Appointee Tells Biden To Go Pound Sand, Refuses To Resign His Position On Naval Academy Board
President Donald Trump appointed his ally and former budget chief to a position on the Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors towards the end of his term. This is not unusual as many prescient’s do this as a way to reward loyal aides and key allies.
But Biden wants Russell Vought, the former Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director, to resign and has given him until the end of the day to do so. The Biden administration sent a letter to Vought that said:
“On behalf of President Biden I am writing to request your resignation…should we not receive your resignation, your position with the Board will be terminated, effective 6:00 p.m. tonight.”
Vought responded by telling Biden and his team to go pound sand. He said: “No. It’s a three year term.”
From The Hill:
Trump in December 2020, weeks before he was set to leave office, appointed a number of political allies to the boards of military service academies after removing long-standing experts.
Along with naming Vought to the Naval Academy, Trump also appointed his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and deputy campaign manager David Bossie to the Defense Business Board.
In addition, Trump named his intended U.S. Ambassador to Germany nominee Douglas Macgregor and former senior counselor Kellyanne Conway to the West Point and Air Force Academy boards.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in early February moved to oust the numerous Trump appointees by suspending the Pentagon’s 42 boards and commissions until a “zero-based review” was completed.
No. It’s a three year term. @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/c9pZOENNPR
— Russ Vought (@russvought) September 8, 2021
JUST IN: Russell Vought, the former Office of Management and Budget, replied to the letter asking for his resignation saying, “No. It’s a three year term.” https://t.co/ANov2K1kXa
— The Hill (@thehill) September 8, 2021