Project 2025, the conservative roadmap to transform America with Donald Trump in office

Project 2025 has become a key talking point within the United States presidential election. Although Republican candidate Donald Trump has distanced himself from the document (which promotes a series of conservative policies), Democrats have highlighted the connection between the former president and the program. Even at the recent Democratic Convention, it was mentioned on several occasions to warn citizens about the future that could await them if Trump returns to the presidency.

What is Project 2025?

Project 2025 is an initiative that seeks to promote conservative and right-wing policies to transform the United States federal government and consolidate executive power in the event that Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. The document was created by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative committee founded in 1973 that is among the most influential public policy organizations in the country.

In 2023, the movement released a document titled “Mandate for Liberty: The Conservative Promise,” written by 400 scholars and policy experts from across the country. However, the draft has generated controversy due to its interpretation of the “unified executive theory,” as it suggests that the entire executive branch, which includes the entire federal bureaucracy including the Department of Justice, should be placed under the exclusive control of the president. This would allow the country’s leader to make decisions directly, so he could implement diverse policies in different areas.

The document has been criticized for its stance on issues such as migration (as it proposes mass deportations, a focus of Trump’s campaign), religion (because it seeks to have society guided by conservative Christian principles), and sexual diversity.

Who wrote Project 2025?

The document was created by the Heritage Foundation, as part of its Mandate for Leadership series, which was first published in 1981 during the administration of Republican President Ronald Reagan, who — according to the foundation — followed much of the text’s guidelines.

In April 2023, Heritage released a new 920-page Mandate for Leadership, which included contributions from many conservative figures, including former Trump administration officials. The project is heavily backed by conservative donors, including those linked to Leonard Leo, known for his role in judicial appointments during the Trump presidency. Its website notes that the project’s core team is made up of Heritage principal Paul Dans and associate principals Spencer Chretien, who served as a special assistant to Trump during his presidency, and Troup Hemenway, who was a member of the policy team on Trump’s 2016 campaign.

What is the mission of Project 2025?

Project 2025 aims to address perceived shortcomings in Trump’s first term by preparing to replace federal civil service workers with Trump loyalists, which could raise concerns about bending or breaking protocols. This preparation includes considering controversial figures for high positions and suggesting aggressive tactics against perceived adversaries. The draft reflects the intention to implement more radical changes and assertive measures in a possible second Trump administration.

These are the main goals of Project 2025 according to its official website.

• Secure the border, finish building the wall, and deport illegal aliens
• De-weaponize the Federal Government by increasing accountability and oversight of the FBI and DOJ
• Unleash American energy production to reduce energy prices
• Cut the growth of government spending to reduce inflation
• Make federal bureaucrats more accountable to the democratically elected President and Congress
• Improve education by moving control and funding of education from D.C. bureaucrats directly to parents and state and local governments
• Ban biological males from competing in women’s sports

Government

Much of Project 2025 is focused on its interpretation of the “unified executive theory.” It proposes that all federal agencies be brought under presidential control, with authority centered in the executive branch, primarily the president. The proposal suggests that job protections for federal workers be eliminated, which would allow for a greater number of political appointees in government roles. That is, the president would have the ability to “hire” people who align with his political ideology, ignoring the work of federal workers.

Similarly, the document criticizes the FBI as a department with too much power that acts “outside the law.” Its proposal is to restructure the bureau, as well as other federal departments such as the Department of Education.

The Republican platform supports reducing regulation and government spending, but does not advocate the broad agency overhaul suggested in Project 2025.

Economy

On the economy, the document calls for reducing federal investment in renewable energy and increasing fossil fuel production, which is in direct opposition to the carbon emissions reduction efforts pushed by Democrats. The document also suggests tax cuts, as well as calls for abolishing the Federal Reserve and possibly returning to a gold-backed currency.

However, the Republican platform only focuses on reducing inflation and increasing oil production.

Family and sexual identity

The bill suggests a conservative approach to American families, with traditional and biblical influences. To get there, they seek to take control of the Department of Health and Human Services and promote those ideals, which could impact LGBTQI+ communities, particularly trans people. As mentioned on their website, one of their main points seeks to prevent trans women from participating in women’s sports.

Similarly, the document proposes banning pornography and shutting down technology companies that store such content. It also advocates eliminating programs considered “woke,” and removing terms such as “sexual orientation,” “gender equity,” “abortion,” and “reproductive rights” from all federal laws and regulations, which is part of a mission to end inclusion, diversity and equity programs in schools and government departments.

The Republican platform supports the idea of a traditional family but does not hold such an extremist view. And while it does not have a position on censorship, it has criticized political indoctrination in schools.

Migration

The document suggests an increase in investment for the border wall between the United States and Mexico, which was a Trump proposal. It also proposes dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and mixing its functions with other immigration control units, and creating an entity to protect the border.

The proposal also seeks to eliminate visas for victims, increase quotas for immigrants, and speed up applications for those who can pay more.

The Republican platform promises deportations at a higher level. However, it does not fully align with the measures mentioned in the draft. Trump has used the phrase “mass deportations” on multiple occasions and has made it a key aspect of his campaign.

Abortion

Project 2025 does not seek to ban abortion at the federal level, but proposes that the abortion pill Mifepristone be removed from the market and that its distribution be limited. Meanwhile, the Republican platform supports states determining their own laws in addition to seeking to ban abortions beyond 12 weeks.

Does Trump support it?

The presidential candidate has distanced himself from the proposal. On the social network Truth he wrote: “I don’t know anything about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it.” Likewise, he assured that he did not agree with some of the proposals, and highlighted: “Some of the things they say are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal”. However, several people who worked on the project were Trump councilmen during his presidency, including director Paul Dans, who served as Chief of Staff in the Office of Personnel Management during his presidency, and Russell Vought, who worked as Trump’s administrative officer in addition to serving as political platform director at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

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