Project 2025: Key Aspects of Trump’s Controversial Policy Plan

Former President Donald Trump is set to secure the GOP’s nomination at the Republican National Convention this week, which has brought renewed focus to Project 2025. This extensive policy blueprint, developed by the Heritage Foundation and over 100 conservative groups, outlines a broad agenda for a potential second Trump term. The project includes plans for a LinkedIn-style database for presidential appointees, training programs for executive branch roles, and a detailed “playbook” for Trump’s first 180 days in office. Although the project is officially independent of Trump, its proposals have been influenced by former administration members and Trump allies, and Trump has previously praised the Heritage Foundation.

Project 2025 proposes increasing the number of political appointees aligned with the president, replacing many nonpartisan career civil servants. It suggests an executive order to place political appointees in key positions, similar to actions taken during Trump’s presidency but overturned by President Biden. The plan also advocates for downsizing the federal government, including the elimination of several agencies such as the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Remaining departments would be merged or privatized, including the Transportation Security Administration.

The project aims to reverse current policies on transgender rights, including reinstating bans on transgender military service and prohibiting gender-affirming care funded by federal dollars. It also proposes limiting educators’ ability to address students by anything other than their birth name and pronouns. Additionally, Project 2025 seeks to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from the federal government and universities, supports traditional family structures, and restricts anti-discrimination laws related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

In terms of climate change, the proposal calls for withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and shifting focus away from green energy. It includes overhauling the Department of Energy to support oil and natural gas and reducing climate research. On abortion, while not explicitly banning it, Project 2025 aims to restrict access by revoking abortion drug approvals, blocking abortion-related mail, and limiting federal funds for abortion services.

The agenda promotes “school choice” by directing funds to private or religious schools and banning the teaching of “critical race theory” in public schools. It also supports legislation allowing parents to sue schools over controversial subjects or religious disclosures. For student loans, Project 2025 proposes ending federal relief programs and requiring full repayment from borrowers. The plan advocates for banning TikTok, reforming Section 230 to limit tech companies’ immunity, and endorsing laws that penalize social media platforms for viewpoint-based suspensions.

Project 2025 includes a complete overhaul of the DOJ and FBI, focusing on violent crime and aligning litigation with the president’s agenda. It suggests reducing the FBI’s role in investigating misinformation and avoiding politically motivated actions. In terms of taxes, the plan proposes a flat 15% rate for incomes below the Social Security wage base and a 30% rate for higher earners, along with a lower corporate tax rate of 18%. The proposal also suggests overhauling the Federal Reserve, potentially removing government control of monetary policy or returning to the gold standard.

For foreign relations, Project 2025 emphasizes opposing China and withdrawing from international organizations like the World Health Organization and some UN agencies. In healthcare, the plan aims to cut Medicaid, impose work requirements for coverage, and reform Medicare by making Medicare Advantage the default, without seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act.

Trump has denied involvement with Project 2025, calling some ideas “ridiculous and abysmal.” However, the project’s team includes numerous former Trump administration officials, and Trump has previously endorsed Heritage Foundation policies. While Trump is not obligated to adopt Project 2025’s recommendations, historical patterns suggest he may incorporate some ideas. Experts have warned that implementing Project 2025 could dramatically alter federal governance, with concerns about its potential impact on the balance of power among government branches.

The Heritage Foundation has a history of creating policy roadmaps for Republican administrations, dating back to the Reagan era. Project 2025’s policy agenda, including a proposal to outlaw pornography, has sparked additional controversy. The plan suggests severe measures against pornography and those involved in its production, linking it to the propagation of transgender ideology and the sexualization of children.