Project 2025 focuses on a wide range of conservative priorities, including restricting abortion access, rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, abandoning efforts to address climate change and income inequality, and implementing sweeping changes to the federal government workforce.
Despite Trump’s attempts to distance himself from the document, Project 2025 has been spearheaded by former Trump administration officials, including Paul Dans and Russell Vought. More than 100 conservative organizations have contributed to the plan, many of which would hold significant influence in Washington if Republicans regain control of the White House.The recent spike in attention surrounding the document has been fueled by liberal opposition to it, particularly in light of President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance and the US Supreme Court decision strengthening presidential immunity.
The four main policy aims of Project 2025 are: restoring the family as the centerpiece of American life, dismantling the administrative state, defending the nation’s sovereignty and borders, and securing individual rights. However, the document has faced criticism for its potential to undermine democracy and lead to political violence. Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts’ comments about a potential “second American revolution” have further stoked concerns among Democrats, who accuse Trump and his allies of “dreaming of a violent revolution to destroy the very idea of America.”
The following are some of the main suggestions outlined in Project 2025:
Government structure
In terms of government structure, the plan advocates for the application of the “unitary executive theory”, which would bring all federal agencies, including the department of justice, under the president’s direct authority. This would streamline the decision-making process and enable the president to implement policies more efficiently across various sectors.
Furthermore, the proposal seeks to remove job security for many government employees, allowing them to be replaced by individuals appointed based on political affiliations. The document also strongly criticizes the FBI, describing it as a “bloated, arrogant, increasingly lawless organization”.
Social issues and abortion
The Project 2025 policy book outlines several recommendations for the department of health and human services regarding abortion and social issues. One of the key proposals is for the Food and Drug Administration to overturn its long-standing approval of mifepristone, a commonly used abortion pill that has been available for over two decades.
Additionally, the policy book advocates for the implementation of stricter regulations surrounding the use of mifepristone. These proposed changes include limiting the timeframe in which the medication can be taken to seven weeks into a pregnancy, as against the current 10-week window.
Another significant social issue addressed in the policy book is the participation of transgender individuals in the military. During his first four years in office, Trump banned transgender people from serving in the military. Biden reversed that policy, but the Project 2025 policy book calls for the ban to be reinstated.
Immigration
The document outlines a plan to bolster funding for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, which was one of the key promises made by Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
In addition to the border wall, Project 2025 suggests a significant restructuring of the immigration enforcement apparatus. The plan involves dismantling the Department of Homeland Security and merging its functions with other immigration enforcement units across various agencies.
The document also includes several other proposals aimed at tightening immigration policies. These include the elimination of specific visa categories designed for victims of crime and human trafficking, as well as increasing the fees imposed on immigrants.
And Climate change
The Republican platform outlines a significant shift in the nation’s approach to climate change and energy policy. It advocates for substantial cuts to government funding for research and development in the renewable energy sector. Instead, the document urges the incoming administration to “stop the war on oil and natural gas,” signaling a move away from clean energy initiatives.
Under the proposed plan, the focus would pivot from reducing carbon emissions to increasing energy production and ensuring energy security for the country.