Trump’s Pick JD Vance Ties Him Closer to Project 2025

Former President Donald Trump announced Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his vice presidential candidate on Monday, a move that could complicate his efforts to distance himself from the controversial policy agenda known as Project 2025. Vance’s close ties to the right-wing Heritage Foundation, which developed Project 2025, highlight the tension between Trump’s public disavowal of the project and Vance’s known support for it.

Project 2025, crafted by the Heritage Foundation with assistance from other right-wing groups, presents a sweeping 900-page policy roadmap aimed at overhauling the executive branch. The blueprint, which has garnered significant attention, includes proposals for extensive reforms that have been met with scrutiny. Trump has publicly distanced himself from Project 2025, dismissing it on social media and claiming ignorance about its development, despite the involvement of over 100 former administration officials. He has described some of its proposals as “ridiculous and abysmal.”

Vance’s association with the Heritage Foundation complicates Trump’s narrative. The senator has openly supported the organization and its agenda. Heritage Foundation founder Kevin Roberts expressed strong support for Vance’s vice presidential nomination, praising him as a promising figure for the future of the nation. Vance has been a vocal advocate for the foundation’s vision of aligning with Trumpism, with Roberts citing him as a significant leader in their movement.

Although Vance has not explicitly endorsed Project 2025, he has acknowledged that he sees merit in some of its proposals. He has noted that while he disagrees with certain elements, he recognizes valuable ideas within the plan. Despite this, Vance has attempted to distance himself from the notion that Project 2025 has a direct influence on the Trump campaign.

Vance’s support for a major proposal within Project 2025—overhauling the federal workforce by replacing career civil servants with political appointees—has been a key point of discussion. In a 2021 podcast, Vance advocated for firing “every civil servant in the administrative state,” and reiterated his stance in February, emphasizing the need for bureaucrats who align with the administration’s agenda.

Neither the Trump campaign nor the Heritage Foundation has responded to requests for comment. Vance’s Senate office referred to a recent interview where Vance stated that while Trump might have mixed opinions about Project 2025, he would ultimately shape the agenda for any future administration.

In an April 2023 speech at a Heritage Foundation event, Vance highlighted the organization’s crucial role in shaping governance, just a day before Project 2025’s proposals were unveiled. This timing underscores the close connection between Vance’s endorsement and the project’s release.

Project 2025’s proposals advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of the federal government, including the replacement of career bureaucrats with political appointees and the elimination of several federal agencies. It also takes strong stances against transgender rights and “woke” policies, proposes ending student loan forgiveness, and suggests radical changes to the Federal Reserve, including potentially reverting to the gold standard.

The real test will be how Trump and Vance navigate their roles if elected. Trump is not obligated to follow Project 2025’s recommendations, though his campaign has demonstrated alignment with some of its goals. Historically, Trump has adhered to similar policy proposals, with significant influence from the Heritage Foundation, which boasted that Trump followed 64% of its recommendations within his first two years in office.

Vance’s score from Heritage Action for America, the Heritage Foundation’s political arm, stands at 93%, reflecting a strong alignment with the organization’s views. This is notably higher than the 61% average among Senate Republicans.

Trump announced Vance as his running mate on the first day of the Republican National Convention, ending speculation about his choice. Vance, known for his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and his shifting stance on Trump, received the former president’s endorsement during his 2022 Senate campaign. Project 2025 has faced increased scrutiny recently, especially following Trump’s attempts to distance himself from it, with Democrats using it as a key point of contention against Trump’s candidacy amid President Joe Biden’s debate performance criticisms.