Project 2025, officially known as the Presidential Transition Project, is a comprehensive policy and personnel initiative developed by the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank in the United States. Launched in April 2023, it aims to provide a roadmap for a potential conservative administration, particularly in the event of a Republican victory in the 2024 presidential election. The project draws on contributions from over 100 conservative organizations and former officials from the Trump administration, positioning itself as a blueprint for reshaping the federal government to align with conservative principles. 1 29 It builds on the Heritage Foundation’s long history of producing similar “Mandate for Leadership” documents for incoming administrations, including one in 2016 that influenced the first Trump term. 2
The core of Project 2025 is a 900+ page policy playbook titled Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, which outlines detailed recommendations across various federal agencies and policy areas. This document serves as a guide for executive actions, legislative priorities, and administrative reforms. Beyond policy, the project includes a database of vetted personnel, training programs for potential appointees, and strategies for a swift transition to implement conservative agendas on Day One of a new administration. 3 6 29
Key Components and Goals
Project 2025 is structured around four main pillars: policy recommendations, personnel recruitment, training, and a 180-day transition playbook. Its overarching goals include reducing the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy, enhancing executive authority, and promoting conservative values in areas like family, economy, and national security.
- Policy Recommendations: The Mandate for Leadership breaks down proposals by federal department. For example:
- Executive Branch Reform: Advocates for reclassifying thousands of civil service positions under “Schedule F” to make them at-will employees, allowing easier dismissal of those deemed disloyal or obstructive to conservative policies. This aims to dismantle the “deep state” and ensure agency alignment with presidential directives. 5 37
- Economy and Trade: Calls for deregulation, tax cuts, and protectionist measures like tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing and energy production, emphasizing fossil fuels over renewable sources. 29
- Social Issues: Promotes traditional family structures, restricts abortion access by limiting federal funding for reproductive health services, and eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in government. It also seeks to redefine gender policies, such as removing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in federal programs. 7 0
- Education: Proposes abolishing the Department of Education, shifting responsibilities to states, and ending federal involvement in student loans and Title IX enforcement. 33
- Criminal Justice and Immigration: Supports mass deportations, stricter border controls, and using federal law enforcement to target political opponents or “enemies within.” It also advocates for expanding presidential pardon powers and prioritizing ideological alignment in the Department of Justice. 38 8
- Foreign Policy and National Security: Emphasizes “America First” isolationism, reducing international aid, and restructuring agencies like the State Department to focus on conservative priorities. 4
- Personnel and Training: A key innovation is the Presidential Administration Academy, an online training program for appointees, and a database of over 20,000 potential hires vetted for loyalty to conservative ideals. This addresses past criticisms of the 2017 Trump transition, which was seen as disorganized. 29
The project claims to restore constitutional governance by curbing unelected bureaucrats’ power and empowering elected officials, arguing that previous administrations have allowed progressive ideologies to entrench in government. 29
Involved Organizations and Leadership
Led by the Heritage Foundation under President Kevin Roberts, Project 2025 involves a coalition of conservative groups, including the American Enterprise Institute, Family Research Council, and former Trump officials like Russ Vought (former OMB director) and Paul Dans (project director until his resignation in July 2024). Contributors include over 140 individuals with ties to the first Trump administration. 1 6 The initiative is non-partisan in name but explicitly conservative, with no involvement from liberal or centrist organizations.
Criticisms
Project 2025 has faced significant backlash from progressive groups, civil liberties organizations, and some moderates, who view it as an authoritarian blueprint that undermines democracy, civil rights, and institutional independence.
- Threat to Democracy: Critics argue it seeks to create an “imperial presidency” by eroding checks and balances, politicizing the civil service, and weaponizing federal agencies against opponents. For instance, proposals to fire non-loyal employees and expand executive power are seen as enabling autocratic rule. 5 30 39
- Social and Civil Rights Rollbacks: Organizations like the ACLU and Guttmacher Institute highlight plans to restrict reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and racial equity initiatives, potentially harming vulnerable populations. 0 7 34 Recent X discussions echo this, linking it to white supremacist agendas and anti-immigration extremism. 10 14
- Education and Economic Impacts: Analysts from Brookings and others warn of dismantling public education systems and exacerbating inequality through deregulation. 33 4
- Criminal Justice Concerns: The Brennan Center criticizes it for prioritizing political vendettas over impartial law enforcement. 38
Democracy Forward and others have compiled “people’s guides” to highlight these harms, framing it as a radical takeover plan. 4 6
Defenses and Responses
Supporters defend Project 2025 as a necessary corrective to liberal overreach in government, emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and adherence to originalist constitutional interpretations. The Heritage Foundation insists it’s not tied to any candidate, though former President Trump distanced himself in July 2024, calling some ideas “ridiculous and abysmal” while praising others. 36 2 Proponents argue criticisms exaggerate its scope, noting similar transition plans exist on the left.
In response to backlash, project director Paul Dans stepped down in July 2024, and the initiative was reportedly scaled back, with some viewing it as politically toxic during the 2024 campaign. 36 However, elements have influenced post-election discussions, with ongoing debates about its implementation in 2025. 9
Current Status (as of October 2025)
As of late 2025, Project 2025 remains influential in conservative circles, with its policy ideas appearing in executive actions and legislative proposals. Books like David Graham’s The Project explore its origins and cultural impact. 9 Public discourse on platforms like X continues to reference it in contexts of immigration, governance, and political division. 10 14 20 25 For the full document, it’s available for purchase from the Heritage Foundation, and summaries can be found in various PDFs and analyses. 3 6
Centre for Nigeria Progress 