When Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office for his second term, he made it clear on the campaign trail that he had “nothing to do with Project 2025.” He even labeled some of its suggestions as “ridiculous and abysmal.” However, just 100 days into his administration, a striking number of his executive actions mirror the bold recommendations from the conservative playbook — Project 2025, a policy blueprint designed to reshape America’s federal government.
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What is Project 2025?
Launched by The Heritage Foundation and other conservative think tanks in 2022, Project 2025 aims to provide a step-by-step guide for the next Republican president to reform federal institutions. Its core document — the 922-page “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” — offers policy recommendations ranging from government downsizing to stronger immigration enforcement and deregulation.
While Trump publicly denied involvement, many of the policies in this guide are now coming to life under his leadership.
Trump’s Executive Orders: How Much Do They Reflect Project 2025?
According to the Hearst Television Data Team, of the 126 executive orders issued by President Trump in his first 100 days (excluding those related to tariffs), 56 closely align with the proposals in Project 2025 — accounting for nearly 45%.
These overlaps are not coincidental. Many of the policies fall under similar themes — government restructuring, elimination of liberal programs, energy independence, and increased control over federal agencies.
Key Areas of Alignment
1. Government Reform and Workforce Restructuring
Trump has aggressively pushed to reshape the federal workforce — a central theme in Project 2025. Some of his key actions include:
Reinstating Schedule F, which makes it easier to fire federal employees.
Eliminating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) programs in government institutions.
Ordering agencies to reduce operational costs and downsize departments.
Restoring military personnel who were discharged under the Biden-era vaccine mandate — with full backpay.
These initiatives reflect Project 2025’s goal to reduce bureaucracy, expand presidential power, and hold government workers more accountable.
2. Dismantling the Department of Education
On March 30, Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education — one of Project 2025’s most controversial and publicized goals. Though Trump didn’t reference the project, this move aligns directly with the handbook’s vision of decentralizing education and giving more control to states and parents.
3. Boosting Energy and Rolling Back Regulations
Both Trump and Project 2025 push for greater domestic energy production and deregulation:
Easing restrictions on fossil fuel drilling.
Reversing environmental rules implemented under the previous administration.
Fast-tracking energy permits and pipelines.
This approach is designed to strengthen the U.S. economy through energy independence, even as it draws criticism from climate advocates.
4. Immigration Enforcement
Trump has taken a hard stance on immigration — aligning with Project 2025’s strict enforcement strategy. His executive orders include:
Deploying additional border agents.
Enhancing surveillance and physical barriers.
Cracking down on sanctuary cities and visa overstays.
Where Trump and Project 2025 Differ
TikTok Ban
Project 2025 urges an outright ban on TikTok, citing national security threats. However, Trump has delayed action, despite bipartisan pressure. This remains a notable point of divergence between Trump and the conservative think tank.
Tariffs and Trade Policy
While Project 2025 features conflicting views on tariffs — with some authors like Kent Lassman favoring free trade and others like Peter Navarro advocating protectionism — Trump has continued to use tariffs as an economic weapon, particularly against China.
The Human Link: Project 2025 Authors in Trump’s Cabinet
Despite Trump’s verbal distance from the project, many key Project 2025 contributors now serve in high-level roles in his administration:
Russ Vought – Budget Director
Brendan Carr – FCC Chair
Peter Navarro – Senior Trade Advisor
John Ratcliffe – CIA Director
Tom Homan – Border Czar
Paul Atkins – SEC Chair
Their presence raises serious questions about how much influence the playbook holds over Trump’s current agenda — even if he never officially endorsed it.
FAQs
Q1. What is Project 2025 in simple terms?
Project 2025 is a detailed policy guide created by conservative organizations, led by The Heritage Foundation, aiming to reshape the federal government by reducing bureaucracy, promoting traditional values, and increasing executive power.
Q2. Did Trump write or support Project 2025?
No, Trump publicly stated he had “nothing to do with it” and criticized parts of the document. However, many of his executive orders reflect its recommendations.
Q3. What is Schedule F, and why is it important?
Schedule F is a federal workforce classification Trump revived that makes it easier to fire career civil servants. It’s significant because it gives the president more control over the government workforce — a major goal of Project 2025.
Q4. What is the controversy around dismantling the Department of Education?
Critics argue that dismantling the department could lead to uneven education standards across states and reduced oversight. Supporters, including Project 2025, believe it empowers local control and parental choice.
Q5. Could Project 2025 fully shape Trump’s presidency?
While it’s not an official government document, many of its authors are now key decision-makers in Trump’s administration. So its ideas may increasingly influence policymaking over time.
Conclusion
Despite President Trump’s public disassociation from Project 2025, his policy actions suggest otherwise. With many of the project’s architects now embedded in his administration, and a growing number of executive orders that echo its blueprint, Project 2025 may be playing a silent but powerful role in shaping the future of the American government.