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Washington — President Trump has consistently distanced himself from Project 2025 while campaigning, asserting he had “nothing to do with” the Heritage Foundation’s initiative, claiming he had not read the document and did not intend to. However, as he approaches the 100-day milestone in the White House, many actions he has enacted since resuming office mirror the extensive recommendations outlined in Project 2025’s comprehensive policy outline aimed at reforming the executive branch.
Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, serves as a strategic blueprint for the future of the Republican presidency, particularly under Trump. Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized certain aspects of the project, labeling some proposals as “abysmal,” yet analysis indicates several of its strategies resonate with his own policy initiatives.
Notably, many contributors to the policy guide have previously served in Trump’s administration and have returned for his current term. Key figures such as Russ Vought in the Office of Management and Budget and John Ratcliffe as CIA Director exemplify this continuity. Peter Navarro, who held a prominent trade advisory role earlier, has also rejoined the White House team.
Trump’s initial actions in office included reinstating policies from his first term that had been rolled back by President Biden. Additionally, he has pursued new executive directives that align with the proposals found in Project 2025’s policy compendium.
Abolishing the Department of Education
Calls for dismantling the Department of Education have been a longstanding objective for Republicans, a sentiment echoed in Project 2025, which advocates for significantly limiting federal education involvement, eventually leading to the department’s elimination. In March, Trump began that process through an executive order that has already resulted in staff reductions and plans to shift some responsibilities to other agencies.
However, complete dissolution of the Department of Education would necessitate congressional approval.
Ending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices
Trump has routinely criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. His return to the White House was marked by an executive order to terminate all DEI initiatives within the federal government. He argued these practices could infringe upon civil rights laws and disadvantage certain Americans based on race or gender. Project 2025 reflects this goal, calling for the dismantling of DEI initiatives across various federal agencies and the removal of related terminology from all federal documents.
Past attempts by the Trump administration to eliminate references to gender and race were met with public backlash and subsequent reversals.
Shifting FEMA Costs to the States
Early in his second term, Trump formed a review council to assess FEMA’s ability to manage domestic disasters effectively. This initiative followed his remarks suggesting that the federal agency could be eliminated, offloading disaster management to state governments. His executive order indicates a shift towards encouraging state and local governments to assume greater responsibility in emergency preparedness, stirring concerns regarding FEMA’s disaster response capabilities, notably as hurricane season looms.
Project 2025 endorses reforms that would transfer a majority of emergency response costs from the federal government to state and local entities, altering existing cost-sharing arrangements significantly.
Targeting Public Broadcasting
Brendan Carr, the FCC chair, informed leaders of NPR and PBS about ongoing investigations into their compliance with federal regulations regarding noncommercial educational broadcasts. Carr expressed concerns regarding potential violations related to commercial underwriting announcements, questioning the necessity of continuing federal funding for public radio and television in light of shifts in the media landscape. Project 2025 advocates for defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, influencing the future of public broadcasting institutions.
Freezing Federal Assistance
One of Trump’s first actions as president was to initiate a hiring freeze for federal civilian employees, extended through July 15, as part of cost-reduction strategies outlined in Project 2025. This freeze aimed to limit the size of the federal workforce, addressing concerns that prior attempts to reduce federal employee numbers had been ineffective.
Restricting Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
In January, Trump enacted an executive order targeting the allocation of federal funds for gender-affirming care for individuals under 19 years of age. The directives include measures to withdraw previous guidance on gender-affirming care issued under the Biden administration. Project 2025 echoes this stance, condemning such medical interventions while leading to disputes from families and professionals who advocate for transgender youth care.
Revoking Security Clearances
Trump initiated executive measures to revoke the security clearances of numerous former intelligence officials who had publicly discussed Hunter Biden’s laptop issue, expanding this directive to notable Democrats. Proposed measures in Project 2025 echoed the need for stricter oversight of security clearances among former officials.
Stripping Civil Servants of Employment Protections
Upon his return, Trump reinstated an executive order designed to expand the “Schedule F” category for federal employees, effectively diminishing employment protections. Critics argue this shift would enable the administration to replace civil servants with politically aligned appointments, undermining the integrity of federal agencies.
Reinstating Service Members Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine
Trump’s directive calls for the reinstatement of service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, reinstating their ranks and compensating them. This move aligns with Project 2025’s recommendations for the treatment of military personnel regarding vaccinations.
Banning Transgender Individuals from Military Service
Trump has re-enforced a military ban on transgender individuals, countering President Biden’s reversal. His new executive order confirms that identifying as transgender is incompatible with military service standards. Project 2025 pushes for policies that exclude transgender individuals from military positions, despite ongoing legal challenges against such restrictions.
Withdrawing from the World Health Organization
Trump’s administration withdrew from the WHO in 2020 over perceived failures during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision reversed by President Biden. Trump’s recent reinstatement of this withdrawal was guided by criticisms of the WHO’s performance, reflecting concerns shared within Project 2025 about international organizations undermining U.S. interests.
Limiting Refugee Admissions
Trump has enacted measures to suspend refugee admissions and mandated a reassessment of pending applications, attributing increased migration to the Biden administration’s policies. Project 2025 emphasizes the need for reduced refugee admissions to redirect resources towards domestic border security initiatives.
Rescinding Temporary Protected Status Designations
The Trump administration has pursued the termination of the Temporary Protected Status program for certain groups, aiming to roll back protections established by prior administrations. Proposals within Project 2025 call on lawmakers to dismantle these designations.
Capping Indirect Costs for University-Based Research
The NIH’s recent memo capping indirect costs for research reflects broader budgetary initiatives outlined in Project 2025. These efforts suggest a market-driven approach to university funding, aiming to limit government subsidies directed at what Project 2025 labels as “leftist agendas.”
Requiring Disclosures of Foreign Gifts to Universities
Trump’s directives require educational institutions to report substantial foreign contributions, aligning with Project 2025’s call for increased scrutiny of financial ties between universities and foreign entities.
Asserting the President’s Power to Remove Federal Officials
Trump’s attempt to reinforce presidential authority over independent agencies has led to numerous courtroom challenges, reflecting a broader initiative outlined in Project 2025 to redefine executive powers concerning federal personnel removals.
Targeting NOAA
Project 2025 has proposed significant downsizing of NOAA, advocating for the elimination and privatization of several of its key functions. These aims reflect a shift towards reducing governmental roles in environmental monitoring, raising alarms among current and former NOAA officials about the impacts on public safety and research.
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