OMB strikes back after Sheldon Whitehouse calls Russ Vought ‘creep,’ ‘henchman’
A heated exchange has erupted between Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) led by Director Russ Vought. Whitehouse criticized Vought on social media,labeling him a “creep” and a “henchman,” notably in light of recent changes in the Trump governance.The senator’s criticism intensified following Elon Musk’s departure from his role as a budget advisor. In response, OMB General Counsel Mark Paoletta defended Vought, accusing Whitehouse of hypocrisy regarding his own affiliations with an exclusive beach club in Rhode Island. This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Whitehouse and vought, and also broader political rifts related to governmental efficiency and accountability.
OMB strikes back after Sheldon Whitehouse calls Russ Vought ‘creep,’ ‘henchman’
A war of words has escalated between the Office of Management and Budget and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) after the lawmaker unleashed his characteristic nastiness on OMB director Russ Vought, calling him a “creep” and a “henchman.”
Following weeks of ripping the Department of Government Efficiency and President Donald Trump on X, Whitehouse turned up his social media heat on Vought after Elon Musk announced his departure from the Trump administration as unofficial federal budget cutter to return to running Tesla.
“Good riddance. Musk and his Musk-rats probably caused more waste than they cleaned out,” Whitehouse said on X. “Now the job falls to the insidious fossil-fuel-funded creep Russell Vought, their henchman at OMB,” added the senator.
Good riddance. Musk and his Musk-rats probably caused more waste than they cleaned out.
Now the job falls to the insidious fossil-fuel-funded creep Russell Vought, their henchman at OMB.
https://t.co/U4rd7tiU7C— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) May 29, 2025
That prompted OMB General Counsel Mark Paoletta to fire off posts on X in defense of his boss and friend, accusing Whitehouse of hypocrisy and poor judgment.
1/ @SenWhitehouse smears my friend & colleague @Russvought when Whitehouse & wife are longtime members of ALL-WHITE Bailey’s Beach Club in Newport, RI. Whitehouse says these clubs are a “long tradition in Rhode Island.” That’s despicable. https://t.co/0XsmsCFv8K pic.twitter.com/hs6nuIMUFP
— Mark Paoletta (@MarkPaoletta) June 1, 2025
Paoletta, who has tangled with Whitehouse on X over ethics and his friend Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, raised reports that the senator is a longtime member of a Rhode Island beach club that has been hit over diversity matters.
“1/ @SenWhitehouse smears my friend & colleague @Russvought when Whitehouse & wife are longtime members of ALL-WHITE Bailey’s Beach Club in Newport, RI. Whitehouse says these clubs are a long tradition in Rhode Island.’ That’s despicable,” Paoletta said on X late Sunday.
He followed up with posts accusing Whitehouse of holding stocks in companies with which his congressional work crosses paths.
No government official should be above the law.
The American people deserve a comprehensive investigation into the potential violations of ethics and tax laws by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Senator @RonWyden and I sent a letter to AG Garland making the case.
— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) July 9, 2024
Paoletta is in his second stint as OMB general counsel, holding the same position during the first Trump administration.
He has often turned to X to take on critics of his allies, including Thomas, who is a frequent target of Whitehouse.
.@SenWhitehouse is a disgrace. His tactics to bully Justice Thomas have failed. As he has for past 33 yrs, Thomas is reshaping American jurisprudence faithful to Constitution. Whitehouse is lashing out because there’s nothing he can do about it. Thomas triggers the Left. #GOAT https://t.co/aapjlrlelq
— Mark Paoletta (@MarkPaoletta) July 9, 2024
Last year, Whitehouse asked for an ethics investigation into Thomas taking improper gifts.
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Paoletta, who authored a friendly biography of Thomas, slammed Whitehouse back then, too.
In a congressional testimony three years ago, Paoletta noted Whitehouse’s membership in the Spouting Rock Beach Association, also known as Bailey’s Beach Club, and said, “Rules for thee, not for me.”
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