 "US presidential debate: What’s the controversial Project 2025 over which Harris attacked Trump?")
The much-anticipated ABC US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris has concluded. In the high-stakes discussion, the two argued over abortion rights, immigration, inflation and more. The contentious Project 2025 found a mention.
Harris attacked the former president for his links to Project 2025, the controversial plan drafted by Washington-based conservative think tank Heritage Foundation to overhaul the US government.
“I’m going to tell you on this debate tonight, you’re going to hear from the same old tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances and name-calling,” the US vice president said in the first few minutes of the debate. “What you’re going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025 that the former president intends on implementing if he were elected to again.”
Again, Trump was seen distancing himself from this plan, which had been created by many of his former officials. “Number one, I have nothing to do — as you know and as she knows better than anyone — I have nothing to do with Project 2025.. That’s out there. I haven’t read it. I don’t want to read it purposely. I’m not going to read it,” the Republican hopeful said.
We take a look at Project 2025, which has become a big talking point in the US election.
What is Project 2025?
Project 2025 is a 922-page plan that outlines significant changes to the federal government, including expanding presidential power and firing up to 50,000 government employees to replace them with Trump loyalists.
The Heritage Foundation, a think-tank on the right, spearheads the project, with contributions from over 100 conservative groups. The plan suggests restructuring various government agencies and policies, targeting areas like immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protections, and financial policy.
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View AllPaul Dans, who served as chief of staff at the US Office of Personnel Management under Trump, was the project director. He stepped down in July after Trump dissociated himself from it.
Trump’s former White House budget chief, Russell Vought, was a key architect of the plan. He was appointed to the Republican National Committee’s platform writing committee. John McEntee, a former director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office under Trump, serves as a senior adviser.
Trump’s campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, appeared in one of Project 2025’s videos.
What are the big four pillars of Project 2025?
Project 2025 is structured around four main pillars:
Policy guide: The nearly 900-page “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” serves as a blueprint for dismantling Biden administration directives and aligning government operations with conservative ideals.
Personnel database: A LinkedIn-style database of potential candidates for an incoming conservative administration.
Training programme: The “Presidential Administration Academy” to train future administration personnel.
Transition playbook: A detailed plan for actions to be taken within the first 180 days of the next administration.
What are the key policy proposals under Project 2025?
Immigration: Project 2025 advocates for an aggressive stance on immigration, including finishing the US-Mexico border wall, using military personnel for border enforcement, and conducting mass deportations.
Abortion and Social issues: The plan calls for reversing the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, enforcing the Comstock Act, and promoting a traditional nuclear family structure.
Federal agencies: Recommendations include downsizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), dismantling the Department of Homeland Security, and eliminating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives: The agenda seeks to eliminate DEI-related positions and programmes within federal agencies.
What is Trump’s relationship with Project 2025?
Despite Trump’s recent disavowal, many of his policies align closely with the proposals in Project 2025. The Heritage Foundation, which led the project, played a significant role in shaping Trump’s first-term policies, with 64 per cent of its recommendations implemented or proposed by Trump.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts has stated that Republicans are “in the process of taking this country back” and described Project 2025 as part of a “second American Revolution.”
Many of the individuals leading and contributing to Project 2025 are former Trump administration officials and allies, indicating a significant ideological alignment. These connections suggest that while Trump may publicly distance himself from the project, the blueprint aligns closely with his vision for a potential second term.
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The involvement of key figures from Trump’s administration, such as former US Office of Personnel Management chief of staff Paul Dans and former White House Presidential Personnel Office director John McEntee, indicates that the project’s strategies are likely to resonate with Trump’s approach to governance.
Furthermore, the project’s ambition to replace up to 50,000 federal employees with individuals loyal to Trump underscores the desire to create a government that is more aligned with Trump’s policies and vision. This aspect of Project 2025 mirrors Trump’s previous efforts to place loyalists in key positions within the federal government during his first term.
Why has Trump distanced himself from the plan?
Trump’s public disavowal of the project can be seen as a strategic move to distance himself from potential controversies while still benefiting from the groundwork laid by his allies.
By doing so, he can avoid direct criticism while ensuring that his supporters and former officials continue to shape a policy framework that would support his agenda if he were to win the presidency again.
Bill Muck, a professor of political science at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, told Nexstar, “Even though Donald Trump is, as he’s running, is running away from Project 2025 a little bit because it may not be politically advantageous, I think at a deeper level, there’s an agreement that this is where the conservative movement is”
“It’s likely that if he is in office, he may not enact all of Project 2025, but it will likely be a blueprint for some of the core principles he would pursue as president.”
What have Project 2025 officials said?
The Heritage Foundation asserts that Project 2025 is not tied to any specific candidate. “We are a coalition of more than 110 conservative groups advocating policy and personnel recommendations for the next conservative president,” the organisation stated. “But it is ultimately up to that president, who we believe will be President Trump, to decide which recommendations to implement.”
Former Trump administration officials, such as Russ Vought and John McEntee, have contributed to the project and its personnel efforts. McEntee has stated that Project 2025’s team plans to integrate its work with the Trump campaign after the summer, once Trump announces his transition team.
How have Democrats reacted?
Democrats have repeatedly attempted to link Trump to the most controversial aspects of the plans.
It featured prominently at the Democratic National Convention, with comedian Kenan Thompson carrying out a cartoon-size version of Project 2025 to make fun of Trump and the effort, reports NPR.
Before Biden quit the presidential race, his campaign highlighted Project 2025, warning that it represents an extreme agenda that should concern all Americans. “He’s trying to hide his connections to his allies’ extreme Project 2025 agenda,” Biden said. “The only problem? It was written for him, by those closest to him. Project 2025 should scare every single American.”
Google Project 2025.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 9, 2024
With inputs from agencies
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