WASHINGTON — Over the past year, Project 2025 has emerged as a significant factor in the presidential election, with its far-right measures used by Democrats as a clear indication of what Donald Trump might pursue if elected again.
Despite efforts by Trump’s campaign to distance itself from Project 2025—Trump has publicly mentioned he knows “nothing” about it—the proposals outlined by the Heritage Foundation mirror his vision closely. Former officials from Trump’s administration and top members of the Heritage Foundation have briefed Trump’s campaign on these proposals.
It is relatively uncommon for a detailed policy document of around 900 pages to play such a crucial role in a political campaign. However, the journey of Project 2025, from its inception at a think tank to its viral uptake on social media, demonstrates the lasting impact that policy can have in shaping election narratives and posing challenges for Trump, as well as Republican candidates running for Congress.
Throughout this period, Project 2025 has maintained its relevance. It serves not only as a policy framework for a future administration but also includes a database of approximately 20,000 job candidates who could fill various roles in a subsequent Trump administration, alongside a still-unpublished “180-day playbook,” which outlines initial actions for a new president on Day One after taking office on January 20, 2025.
Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation and the newly appointed leader of Project 2025, appears determined to push ahead.
“We will not give up,” Roberts stated in an email to supporters over the summer. “We will not back down.”
The origins of Project 2025 can be traced back to its launch in April 2023, where it pledged to “dismantle the administrative state” by proposing the necessary personnel and policies that could guide the next conservative president’s agenda.
Trump administration veterans involved with the project expressed their desire to avoid the pitfalls experienced during Trump’s first term, ensuring that the next Republican president would be adequately positioned with the right team and strategies to realize his campaign goals.
“There is a strong motivation to hit the ground running,” stated Paul Dans, director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, during discussions earlier this year.
Developed under the auspices of the Heritage Foundation, a respected conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., the initiative draws inspiration from a similar document from the Reagan era titled “Mandate for Leadership,” which was reportedly so influential that copies became commonplace in the White House.
Over 100 conservative organizations, many comprised of former Trump administration members, collaborated to devise a broad overhaul of the federal government. Suggestions ranged from increasing political appointees within the Justice Department to redistributing government employees with law enforcement backgrounds to manage illegal immigration, alongside dismantling the Department of Education.
A central proposal within Project 2025 seeks to facilitate the appointment of Trump loyalists by reclassifying around 50,000 federal positions, making them easier to dismiss. This practice, termed the Schedule F policy, was an initiative Trump attempted to implement before exiting office and is now integral to the conservative agenda aimed at dismantling what they label the “deep state” bureaucracy that hinders Trump’s policy priorities.
The unveiling of Project 2025 coincided with the Heritage Foundation’s 50th anniversary and was also a significant moment for Roberts, who had previously been associated with Trump rival Ron DeSantis, who headlined the gala at the commencement of the presidential primary season.
“The conservative movement is uniting to prepare for the next conservative administration,” Roberts indicated during the announcement. He emphasized Heritage’s commitment “to ensure that the next president has the essential policy and personnel needed to dismantle the administrative state.”
As early as April, Biden’s campaign sounded the alarm about Project 2025 through social media posts in advance of his State of the Union address, followed by the launch of a Project 2025 Task Force by House Democrats to raise public awareness in June. Shortly afterward, comedian John Oliver lampooned the initiative on his HBO show.
However, Project 2025 truly captured public attention following Biden’s lackluster debate performance against Trump in June. The absence of a substantial reference to Project 2025 during the debate fell short of the expectations from allies who hoped for a striking critique.
Over that weekend, a single thread on the platform X discussing Project 2025 went viral, racking up nearly 20 million views, as reported by the Democratic campaign. Actress Taraji P. Henson urged viewers on a segment for the BET Awards to understand the implications of Project 2025. Many young creators on TikTok voiced their apprehensions about the proposals, expressing fears over the potential infringement on their civil rights and personal liberties.
“This is really a case of grassroots outrage,” remarked Joe Radosevich from the Center for American Progress. “People recognized the implications of Project 2025 as part of the overall campaign.”
Particularly following the Supreme Court ruling that rescinded the constitutional protections for abortion, Democrats and their supporters aimed to illustrate how the presidential contest could significantly influence people’s futures rather than merely creating a spectacle focused on candidates’ personalities.
By the end of June, interest in “Project 2025” overtook searches for popular subjects such as Taylor Swift and the NFL, according to the Harris campaign.
During the Democratic National Convention, a huge replica of the Project 2025 book was used for comedic effect on stage, with the critique extending beyond celebrities to include concerns from conservatives, who began attributing blame to Heritage and Project 2025 for potentially jeopardizing Trump’s electoral chances.
Trump himself has made clear that he has not endorsed Project 2025, actively dissenting from its messaging despite its affiliations with his past administration. Other conservative organizations closely aligned with Trump are also strategizing for a potential second term. Trump’s campaign team has persistently advised Heritage to diminish its portrayal of Project 2025 in relation to his candidacy.
Roberts appeared undeterred despite facing criticism for previously asserting that the country was undergoing a “second American Revolution” that he believed would remain peaceful if the left permitted it.
In response, Trump publicly disavowed Project 2025, declaring, “I know nothing about Project 2025,” and indicating that he had no connection to those behind it. He characterized some of its proposals as “ridiculous.” Trump was simultaneously unveiling his policy platform for the Republican National Convention, which included contributions from Russ Vought, a former aide who also participated in the Project 2025 initiative.
Heritage Foundation ultimately parted ways with Dans, who was instrumental in crafting Project 2025, a decision that likely pleased Trump’s campaign team.
“Any indications regarding Project 2025’s end would be welcome and serve as a warning for any entity misrepresenting their connection to President Trump and his campaign,” stated Trump’s campaign managers in a joint statement.
Looking ahead, as the competition for control of Congress intensifies, with a narrow margin dictating majority control, Project 2025 is increasingly used by Democratic-affiliated groups to link Republican candidates to its hardline proposals.
The House Accountability Project has established websites focusing on various House Republicans from contested districts, highlighting their past votes on critical issues such as abortion and federal spending in connection with Project 2025 proposals.
“The House GOP is currently advocating policies aligned with Project 2025,” asserted Danny Turkel, spokesperson for the House Accountability War Room. “They are already bringing these policies into the Capitol.”
Meanwhile, the House Republican campaign committee insists its candidates are not associated with Project 2025, claiming that the attacks are political tactics by Democrats trying to divert attention from their own shortcomings regarding border control and inflation.
“They’ve fabricated a baseless attack based on something House Republicans hadn’t even reviewed,” remarked Will Reinert, press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, describing the tactics as a “desperate lie.”