A wave of opposition swept through Grand Junction as protesters took to the streets, urging Colorado senators to block Russell Vought’s confirmation. The demonstration underscored deep political divides over the nomination and its broader implications.
Protesters Rally Against Vought’s Nomination
Chants filled the air outside the Wayne N. Aspinall Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on 400 Rood Ave. as demonstrators voiced their concerns over President Trump’s pick to lead the White House budget office. Organized by the national Democratic group Indivisible, the protest was a direct plea to Colorado’s senators to utilize every procedural tool at their disposal to obstruct Vought’s confirmation.
- Blocking confirmation votes through procedural walkouts.
- Forcing full roll-call votes to delay proceedings.
- Extending debates by maximizing allotted speech time.
- Voting against all of Trump’s nominees as an act of resistance.
Brad Thacker, a representative of Indivisible, emphasized the urgency. “We want to impress upon our Democratic senators how important it is to resist as much as they possibly can the Trump agenda,” he said.
A Community Divided
The protest revealed a stark divide in public opinion. While some Grand Junction residents supported the demonstration, others dismissed it as futile.
“I think they [the protesters] are fools if they think this is going to change anything in the Senate,” said Sam Ayres, a local resident and vocal Trump supporter. “I support Trump’s administration. I think they’ve done great work so far and I hope they continue to do it.”
Others, however, insisted that protests remain a vital part of democracy. “This is what the First Amendment is about. People should never stop speaking out for what they believe in,” said another resident who preferred to remain anonymous.
Vought’s Connection to Project 2025 Raises Concerns
Beyond his nomination, protesters took aim at Vought’s role in crafting Project 2025, a policy roadmap that has drawn scrutiny for its far-reaching conservative proposals. Critics argue that his past work makes him unfit to oversee the federal budget, pointing to his ideological positions and policy decisions that could reshape government spending priorities.
While the demonstration in Grand Junction was just one of many taking place across the country, it signaled growing resistance to key appointments in Trump’s administration. With tensions running high and both sides firmly entrenched in their positions, Vought’s confirmation battle is expected to be a contentious one in the Senate.
