Democratic President Joe Biden’s campaign says the project is proof that Trump would adopt a series of authoritarian and hard-right policies if elected.
What is Project 2025?
Those proposals are laid out in a roughly 900-page book.
Behind the scenes, the project’s affiliates are drafting executive orders and agency regulations that could be used to quickly implement their proposed policies once Trump takes office.
Is Project 2025 connected to the Trump campaign?
But that’s not the whole story.
Former Trump administration official Russ Vought has played a major role in Project 2025. Source: AFP / Lenin Nolly
In practice, many of Trump’s closest policy advisers and those likely to take high-ranking positions in his administration are heavily involved in the project.
For instance, former Trump administration official Russ Vought has played a major role in Project 2025. He also serves as the policy director of the Republican National Convention’s platform committee, an appointment the campaign signed off on.
What are the project’s main proposals?
The project also advocates a sweeping elimination of environmental regulations and a crackdown on programs to boost diversity in the workplace.
That last proposal has spooked many law enforcement officials, who say it will undermine the department’s ability to conduct investigations without political interference.
Does Trump agree with the project’s proposals?
In practice, his campaign has a small in-house policy team, and he tends to discuss policy only in broad terms on the trail.
Though he has endorsed various proposals that are central to Project 2025, like giving himself the power to radically expand the number of political appointees in government and eliminating the Department of Education, he disagrees with other proposals, like putting restrictions on abortion pills.
Why is Project 2025 a big deal at the moment?
The Democratic National Committee in July announced plans for billboards mentioning Project 2025 in 10 cities.
![A man wearing a red cap and blue suit points at audience from a stage.](https://i0.wp.com/images.sbs.com.au/71/58/5d48756d4246bf82b6668df1b005/donald-trump.jpg?resize=4097%2C2731&ssl=1)
Donald Trump and his campaign have tried to distance themselves from Project 2025. Source: AAP / Rebecca Blackwell/AP
A Supreme Court ruling in early July that for actions taken while in office has heightened concerns among some Trump opponents that the project’s attempts to increase presidential power will be particularly dangerous.
“Team Biden and the DNC are lying and fearmongering because they have nothing else to offer the American people,” said campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez.