The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a blueprint for overhauling the federal government, has seen a major shake-up. Paul Dans, the project’s director, is stepping down after backlash from Donald Trump’s campaign. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts confirmed Dans’ departure, stating that Dans’ exit comes as the project has “completed exactly what it set out to do.” Project 2025 began as a far-right wish list and is now a hot topic in the 2024 election. Democrats have used Project 2025 to highlight what they see as extreme policy proposals for a potential Trump administration. The nearly 1,000-page document suggests sweeping changes, including altering personnel rules to ensure government workers’ loyalty to the president. However, Trump is trying to distance himself from Project 2025, claiming he hasn’t read it. He has dismissed the document, saying it is written by those on the “severe right.” At a recent rally, Trump criticized the project as “seriously extreme.” But shall we believe Trump for this? Especially when Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has generously praised the project in a foreword to a forthcoming book by Heritage Foundation’s new President Kevin Roberts.
