The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 is not just an isolated effort; it’s part of a broader, well-funded push to reshape the U.S. federal government into an entity that more directly serves a specific ideological agenda.
This project, funded with an incredible $55 million, aims to consolidate power and simplify the process of firing 50,000 government employees at all levels, with no questions asked, to carry out the President's wishes.
A significant portion of this funding comes from groups associated with Leonard Leo, the influential co-chairman of the Federalist Society, known for his deep connections in conservative legal circles and his pivotal role in steering judicial appointments during the Trump administration. His involvement signals a clear intent to mold the federal judiciary and bureaucratic structures to align with a distinct conservative vision.
Moreover, the Heritage Foundation has sought international collaboration to bolster its efforts, notably teaming up with Viktor Orban’s Danube Institute in Hungary. This partnership is particularly alarming given Orban’s track record of systematically dismantling democratic institutions in Hungary to consolidate power around his ruling party. The alliance highlights a shared strategy between American and Hungarian conservative groups to enforce authoritarian governance styles that prioritize ideological purity over democratic pluralism.
Stephen Miller, a key figure in shaping some of the previous administration’s most extreme immigration policies, is prominently involved, illustrating the project’s hardline stance on immigration and legal issues. His current role as president of the America First Legal group only further cements his commitment to these ideals.
The execution of this agenda is supported by a network of over 100 influential right-wing think tanks, lobbying groups, and policy institutions. This network includes organizations like Turning Point USA, the Center for Renewing America, American Moment, and the America First Policy Institute, all known for their aggressive conservative stances. Many leaders of these groups are staunch advocates of Christian nationalist ideologies or are former officials with records marred by their actions surrounding the 2020 election.
These groups collectively contribute to a reservoir of policy proposals designed to reshape social and political norms within the U.S. government. Their work lays a foundation for implementing stringent social and political orthodoxies, effectively silencing or sidelining any opposition.
Central to the Heritage Foundation’s strategy is the Presidential Personnel Database, an AI-powered tool designed to recruit individuals who align strictly with their agenda. This database includes over 4,000 profiles of potential hires rigorously vetted to ensure they are willing to disregard traditional democratic norms and wield power unchecked, aligning with the president’s aims. The vetting process includes scrutinizing social media histories to ensure absolute loyalty and ideological conformity.
The overarching goal of Project 2025 is to enact a state-sponsored transformation of America’s civic landscape, turning the federal workforce into a tool of radical ideology and personal loyalty to a future conservative administration. This represents a profound threat to the fundamental democratic principles that underpin the American political system.
