Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, got an earful on Wednesday afternoon from a senator who accused him of being disrespectful.
Vought was testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee to discuss President Donald Trump's request to rescind more than $9 billion in previously appropriated funds for foreign aid, the State Department, and public media, including NPR and PBS.
As Vought explained to Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) that Congress and Trump are "moving against that funding" to reduce money for public media — which the president and his allies have attacked as biased — Peters cut off the White House official.
"Well, they're going to go down. What I'm hearing from folks at these stations is —" Peters began, but Vought steamrolled the senator.
"The political program that is underway — these stations we are saying — here, Senator, in 2022, NPR ran a feature titled, 'What 'Queer Ducks' can teach teenagers about sexuality in the animal kingdom," Vought replied.
Peters was not a fan of Vought's response.
"That's not the question, Mr. Vought. I have another question for you," he said.
But Vought kept talking over the senator, railing that in 2020, PBS' show "Sesame Street" partnered with CNN for a town hall titled, "Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families. The program was aimed at helping children and families understand and discuss racism amid nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.
Vought's response drew swift rebuke from Peters.
"Mr. Vought! Mr. Vought! Can you show a little bit of respect here?" he demanded to know.
"I'm happy to, but you continue to misstate things and ask the same questions," Vought retorted.
"I don't need you to answer questions that I'm not asking!" Peters fired back. "Please! I'm trying to be as civil as I can. That's who I am. But I don't expect to have a witness that behaves as you do. It's really disrespectful. It's certiainly understandable given the types of activities."
But Vought didn't back down.
"You misstated the facts," Vought replied.
Watch the fiery clip below or at this link.
Peters: "Mr. Vought -- Can you show a little bit of respect here? I don't need you to answer questions I'm not asking. Please. I'm trying to be as civil as I can." pic.twitter.com/HObJTL3UNM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 25, 2025