Russell Vought plainly got a sadistic thrill while announcing Wednesday that as part of the government shutdown battle, he will inflict punitive spending cuts on states that voted against Donald Trump in 2024. The Office of Management and Budget chief, a shadowy and powerful figure lurking behind the despot’s throne, declared that he is canceling $18 billion in infrastructure projects in New York and another $8 billion in green energy projects in 18 states that Kamala Harris won.

The “left’s agenda” is being “cancelled,” Vought tweeted with drunk-on-power rapture. Gosh, how exciting! Once again, the invincible President Trump is totally owning his enemies!

Not all Republicans are laughing, however. In a little-noticed move, GOP Representative Mike Lawler admitted in an exchange with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that some of these cuts will hurt his New York district north of the city. Here’s the key bit, via the indefatigable Aaron Rupar:

LAWLER: [Democrats] are playing pure politics here and it has to stop.

COLLINS: But do you not believe the administration is playing politics by only canceling projects in states where Democrats are running the place?

LAWLER: Listen, I’m in New York and I’m a Republican. And obviously this project cancellation impacts me, and it impacts my district. So it’s not........

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