Wheaton College found itself in hot water after congratulating and offering prayers for alumnus Russ Vought on his confirmation as director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Illinois university's initial Facebook post, which included a photo of Vought, quickly drew intense online criticism, prompting its removal and replacement with an explanation.

The updated post clarified that while such recognition and prayer would typically be extended to any graduate achieving such a high-level government position, the surrounding political climate led to online concerns. The college emphasized its non-partisan stance and commitment to avoiding political endorsements, linking to its institutional statements reaffirming this position. These statements highlight the school's diverse political perspectives within the evangelical community and encourage examining various viewpoints through a scriptural lens.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Wheaton College explained that the initial post generated over 1,000 hostile and primarily unchristian comments about Vought within hours. The college stated that its intention wasn't to involve itself or Vought in political debate, leading to the post's removal to avoid further online distraction. They clarified that removing the post was not an apology for the initial congratulations or call to prayer.

The college's decision sparked further backlash, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), with accusations of succumbing to left-wing pressure. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) questioned the college's apparent lack of enthusiasm for graduates attaining powerful positions unless they are progressive. Conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey criticized Wheaton's perceived lack of courage, while others labeled the move as weak and embarrassing. David Bahnsen, founder of the Bahnsen Group, criticized the college's response as cowardly and questioned their understanding of the biblical definition of 'Kingdom' in relation to politics.

Vought himself responded to the controversy with a simple "SAD!"