
Project 2025 is a name that has haunted the ears of many Americans since before the election, with many voicing concerns about its effects. The initiative was published by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, in April 2023. It is a federal policy agenda aimed at restructuring the executive branch, written and published by former Trump administration officials in partnership with The Heritage Foundation. The agenda focuses on strengthening executive power and opposing policies that do not align with conservative ideologies. It was backed by a $22 million budget from Heritage.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the platform pledges to slash regulation and government spending. The agenda proposes several changes, including:
- Placing all federal bureaus under presidential control
- Eliminating the Department of Education
- Withdrawing the abortion pill, mifepristone, from the market
- Enforcing a biblically based system, including marriage and family policies, within the Department of Health and Human Services
- Increasing funding for the U.S.-Mexico border
- Dismantling the Department of Homeland Security and combining it with other units to create a larger, more powerful border policing operation
- Eliminating visa categories for crime and human trafficking victims, increasing fees on immigrants, and allowing fast-tracked applications for migrants who pay a premium
- Cutting federal money for research and investment in renewable energy
- Advising tax cuts for corporations and individuals and abolishing the Federal Reserve
- Lowering inflation and expanding oil drilling to reduce energy costs
- Eliminating inclusivity initiatives across all laws and federal regulations
- Creating a database of conservative loyalists to fill government positions
These initiatives aim to ensure the president holds the most power and to construct a conservative government based on the values outlined by Trump. Critics argue these policies would significantly reduce the independence of federal agencies, eroding checks and balances. According to Democracy Forward, such consolidation of power would likely reduce governmental accountability and transparency.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, designed to ensure equal workplace opportunities, has been diminished, with its funds depleted. Without such programs, many students may face greater challenges when seeking employment. For those invested in news and politics, Project 2025 also presents a risk of restricting press access to the White House, potentially preventing journalists from reporting on governmental actions. Additionally, regulating social media for political viewpoints raises concerns about whether First Amendment rights to free speech are being infringed upon.
The removal of diversity programs could alienate groups already serving in the military, affecting military culture and potentially increasing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Shifting defense priorities, reinstating unvaccinated personnel, and deprioritizing climate change efforts could impact military readiness and global strategy. The lack of attention to climate change and pandemic preparedness may hinder the ability to address global warming and prevent mass casualties, disproportionately affecting younger generations.
Leniency on regulations involving fossil fuels may provide economic benefits but could undermine global efforts to combat climate change. Stricter immigration policies could also impact minority populations and their representation in government while negatively affecting the economy. Many immigrants work in industries such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, and food services, often for lower wages. Without these workers, labor costs could rise, leading to slower production and shortages. Additionally, reduced immigration could impact Social Security and tax revenue, contribute to housing market instability, and increase inflation and enforcement costs for mass deportations.
Overall, Project 2025 has the potential to erode trust in government institutions and deepen divisions between progressives and conservatives. The aggressive conservative restructuring of federal policies threatens democratic norms and the foundation of government. The initiative’s impact has been widely discussed on social media, with advocacy efforts emerging from countries such as the United Kingdom and Panama, according to Politico.