President-elect Trump nominated Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025, to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Vought, who previously served in the OMB under Trump, advocates for strong executive power to curtail the federal bureaucracy, a position detailed in his work on Project 2025. This appointment, requiring Senate confirmation, is part of a broader effort by Trump to drastically reduce government spending and regulations, including initiatives spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump also announced several other high-profile appointments on the same day.
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Donald Trump’s nomination of Russ Vought, a key architect of the conservative Project 2025, to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has sparked controversy. Vought’s involvement in Project 2025, which advocates for expanding presidential power and reducing the influence of career civil servants, raises concerns about the potential implementation of its proposals. These proposals include significant changes to the federal workforce and increased presidential control over various government agencies. The nomination has drawn both praise from Republicans and criticism from Democrats who view it as a threat to governmental norms. Several other Project 2025 contributors have also received cabinet nominations under Trump.
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Despite initial disavowals by President-elect Trump and his allies, who viewed Project 2025 as a political liability, the Trump transition team is now utilizing the project’s extensive personnel database to fill thousands of vacant political appointee positions. This database, containing vetted conservative candidates, is proving invaluable in the staffing process. While some individuals associated with Project 2025 are being considered for key roles, others, particularly those advocating for extreme policies, are facing rejection. The transition team emphasizes its commitment to appointing qualified individuals who will advance President Trump’s agenda.
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In his Project 2025 policy proposal, FCC Commissioner Carr advocated for curbing Big Tech censorship, proposing that content moderation be limited to illegal material, thereby empowering users to select their preferred content filters. This approach aligns with the actions of Elon Musk at X (formerly Twitter), creating an environment receptive to conservative viewpoints. Furthermore, Carr urged a TikTok ban unless ByteDance divested its U.S. operations, citing national security concerns related to the flow of information. These proposals represent a significant shift towards deregulation and user control over online content.
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Despite Donald Trump’s repeated denials, a prominent MAGA figure has claimed that Project 2025, a manifesto outlining conservative policy goals for the next Republican president, is “the agenda.” This assertion, made by conservative commentator Matt Walsh and endorsed by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, comes after Trump’s victory in the recent election. While Trump has criticized some of Project 2025’s proposals, including its plans for abortion and immigration, Democrats have pointed to the involvement of former Trump aides in the project. The Heritage Foundation, the think tank that created Project 2025, has congratulated Trump on his victory, while the project’s 900-page document has been described by critics as a blueprint for replacing the rule of law with right-wing ideology.
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Donald Trump has announced that Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as “Border Czar” in his administration. This appointment, which follows Trump’s 2024 campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, signifies a return to the aggressive immigration enforcement policies of his previous administration. Homan, a staunch advocate for increased border security and a vocal critic of “sanctuary cities,” played a key role in implementing these policies during his time at ICE, overseeing a significant increase in immigrant detentions and the separation of families at the border. His appointment signals a continuation of these hardline immigration policies under a second Trump presidency.
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Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, argues in his new book, *Dawn’s Early Light*, that a “controlled burn” is necessary to revitalize America. This “burn” would target institutions like the FBI, Ivy League colleges, and the Boy Scouts, which he sees as corrupted and hindering conservative aims. Roberts uses fire imagery throughout the book, comparing progressive policies to Dutch elm disease and advocating for “burning away the rot” of existing institutions. His rhetoric, reminiscent of Trump’s own fiery language, has already proven controversial, and with Trump’s victory, his call for a “controlled burn” is likely to alarm progressives.
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Despite publicly disavowing it, President-elect Trump’s re-election has emboldened his allies to openly embrace the extreme policy blueprint known as Project 2025. This document, authored by former Trump administration officials and published by the Heritage Foundation, outlines an authoritarian agenda that seeks to dismantle the federal government, replace career civil servants with Trump loyalists, and implement extreme policies on immigration, abortion, energy, and education. While some dismiss this celebration as online trolling, many of these figures are likely to hold positions of influence in the Trump administration, making Project 2025 a real threat to democratic norms and institutions.
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While Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, a far-reaching plan for his second term, several prominent figures within his sphere, including Steve Bannon and Matt Walsh, have openly acknowledged its existence and their intention to implement it. This plan, created by the Heritage Foundation, outlines extreme policies like banning abortion pills, surveilling abortion access, and weakening environmental regulations, potentially alienating even some members of Trump’s base. These actions raise concerns about the true extent of Trump’s agenda and the potential consequences of its implementation, particularly given the negative public perception of Project 2025 among Republican voters.
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John Q. Hosedrinker