President-elect Donald Trump, who previously dismissed The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 as "absolutely ridiculous and abysmal," has now drawn heavily from its contributors to fill key roles in his upcoming administration. In recent weeks, Trump has appointed at least five figures connected to the project, signaling a dramatic shift in his stance.
Among the appointees are Brendan Carr as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Homan as "Border Czar," and John Ratcliffe as CIA Director. This move suggests that Project 2025, a policy blueprint by The Heritage Foundation, has become a significant influence in shaping Trump's second-term agenda.
During his campaign, Trump publicly distanced himself from the initiative, claiming on Truth Social that he had "no idea who is behind it." However, post-election, his reliance on Project 2025 contributors appears to tell a different story. Russ Vought, a former director of the Office of Management and Budget and a key Project 2025 author, is reportedly under consideration to reprise his role.
Michael Cannon, director of health policy at the CATO Institute, commented, "I don't think the Trump administration sees Project 2025 as toxic. So, It should not surprise us when some of the people who contributed to that effort get picked up by the administration."
Tom Homan's appointment as "Border Czar" reflects the hardline immigration policies outlined in Project 2025. Known for his role in the family separation policy during Trump's first term, Homan is expected to lead efforts to implement stricter immigration enforcement. Stephen Miller, who has been named Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, is likely to coordinate these initiatives. Miller, a vocal advocate for stringent immigration controls, was featured in promotional videos for Project 2025 produced by The Heritage Foundation.
Brendan Carr, another contributor to the project, has been nominated to lead the FCC. Carr's proposals include repealing Section 230 protections for tech companies, banning TikTok, and limiting the ability of platforms to moderate extremist content. His appointment underscores a broader push to reshape the regulatory landscape for Big Tech. John Ratcliffe, nominated as CIA Director, has also been linked to Project 2025. Having served as Director of National Intelligence during Trump's first term, Ratcliffe is expected to align with the administration's priorities in intelligence and national security.
Democrats, who heavily campaigned against Trump's alleged ties to Project 2025, expressed dismay at the appointments. Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow criticized Trump's embrace of the initiative, stating, "You can't look at something that had 140 members of the previous Trump administration who had a hand in writing this and believe for a second that he had no idea what this was. I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so."
The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 initially faced criticism from both Democrats and elements within Trump's campaign. However, insiders at the think tank anticipated that their standing would improve following Trump's victory. By October, signs emerged that skepticism about the initiative was waning. Russ Vought, a significant figure in the project, has continued to influence Trump's policies, particularly in areas of executive authority and federal spending.
The appointments highlight Trump's selective adoption of the Project 2025 agenda. While he has embraced some of its hardline policies, he has distanced himself from others. Roger Severino, a lead author of the project's health care chapter, was passed over for a senior role at the Department of Health and Human Services due to his strict anti-abortion stance. This reflects a cautious approach in balancing the initiative's recommendations with political considerations.
